Undoubtedly, the island of Aphrodite has been blessed by God like very few other places in the world, something which is evident by how loyal Christians the people of the island are, as well as by the fact that Panagia (Virgin Mary) is honored in several villages on the island, with one such village being Koutrafas.
The Church of the community is dedicated to Panagia Chryseleousa and was built in the end of the 18th century. Internally, it maintains a wonderful iconostasis, with one like it being difficult to find. The iconostasis was constructed in 1927 by a great craftsman of the time, Evriklides.
The icon of Panagia AMARANDOU RODOU is a miraculous one. The icon presents Christ and Panagia (Virgin Mary) wearing a crown in their head, with Panagia holding a rose.
“Rodo Amarando, hail, the sole grown…”
This Hymn uses a flower with the most beautiful perfume as an image; the Rose, meaning the rosebush. Panagia is the rosebush from which the Rose called Christ grew. Therefore, Christ is “Rodo Amarando”.
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