Overview

The small church of Prophet Ilias is located on the top of the mountain peak of the same name, to the east of Moutoulla, and dominates the villages of Moutoulla Kalopanayioti. The view from the top of the mountain is excellent. The verdant valley of the Setrachos river stretches before the viewer's eyes, from Prodromos all the way down to the bay of Xeros. Tradition states that there was a church at the top of the mountain from the Frankish period and earlier, when the nearby settlements of Marathos and Trullinos still flourished on the top of Prophet Ilias. Until 1961 there were remnants of walls and a pile of stones at the site of the current church. There, in the ruins, a service was held every July 20, the day of the feast of the Prophet Elias. People climbed to the top of the mountain by a narrow path. The church has been there since the Frankish-Byzantine years. It was rebuilt in 1962 with voluntary work. It was later restored and beautified by the brothers Evdokimos and Marinos Hadjigeorgiou. In 2014, again with voluntary work and contributions, a large wall was built around the church and the churchyard was significantly expanded. A photovoltaic system was also installed, which illuminates the church exterior at night.