Philip The Apostle Country Church -Ancient "Five
Litharia" (Five Stones) Monastery

Omodos
0 people like this
image

Overview

The Apostolos Philippos Church is a historic country church located in the "Pente Litharia" area of Omodos, approximately 3 km from the village. Believed to have been a shrine for the god Apollo in ancient times, this church is surrounded by a centuries-old laurel tree with a height of 17 meters and a circumference of 8 meters. Three ancient icons, including one of Christ, one of Apostle Philip, and one of the Virgin Mary the "Zalithariotissas," are now housed in the Museum of Byzantine Icons of the Holy Cross Monastery. The church was renovated in 1773 by the Metropolitan Bishop of Paphos, Panaretos, and has undergone recent maintenance operations funded by the Antiquities Department. On November 14th, a liturgy is held at the church to honor the Apostle, attracting hundreds of faithful attendees.