The ancient church of Panagia Diakinoussa, located in a valley southwest of Prastio Avdimou, is among the old churches of Cyprus and, in particular, of the ecclesiastical district of Paphos. The temple’s history dates back to the early years of Christianity. According to tradition, the church of Panagia is associated with the departure of Christians from large urban centres as a result of persecution at the hands of Jews and, later, pagans. According to local legend, during the difficult times of the Middle Ages in Cyprus, numerous incurable diseases arose and caused widespread death. During this time, the terrible epidemic, also known as the “Black Death”, reached the borders of Prastio Avdimou. Literally every day, the pandemic wiped out entire cities, villages, and settlements. All of the village’s inhabitants, who were threatened with extinction, were overcome with panic and dread.
They turned to Panagia, whose temple was located in the village, because they had no other place to turn for hope and assistance. In response to the pleadings of the elderly and the cries of the young, the Virgin Mary, according to legend, pursued the “Black Death” and, after locating it in an area of the village known as “Pathkia of Panagia,” he killed it, thus liberating the people from the incurable disease. Tradition has it that for many more years, many villagers continued to see the Panagia leaving her temple and walking through the village’s alleys. Due to this, as well as the aforementioned miraculous, Panagia was dubbed “Panagia the Moving” or she who moves through the village and guards it.
On the outskirts of the community of Prastio Avdimou are the ruins of additional ecclesiastical structures that were destroyed not only by the pandemic but also by other factors. The sanctuary of Agia Eleni is situated southwest of the community of Prastio Avdimou, between the neighbourhoods of ”Alupochara, Kokkinomantra, and Agia Eleni”. Here, remnants of the ancient sanctuary of Agia Eleni are preserved. Agia has been venerated in Cyprus since the fourth century, when she visited the island and left behind a portion of the holy relics she brought to Constantinople after the discovery of the Holy and Living Cross of our Lord in Jerusalem.
The modest chapel of Agia Eleni preserves portions of the north and south masonry as well as the Holy Step’s arch. To the west of the temple is the large rectangular stone with a central opening. This stone presumably originated from an old oil mill.
A brief distance to the northwest of the church of Panagia Diakinoussa and to the south of the Archangel Community Park is the ruined chapel of Archangel Michael, which dates to the 13th century. This temple was one of the most significant religious structures in Prastio Avdimou until its destruction, which occurred at an unknown time.
Today, only the northern wall, a portion of the arch of the ”Holy Step” to the east, and the foundations of the southern and western walls remain of the temple. According to local legend, the chapel of the Archangel was the catholicon of a tiny monastery. Sadly, little information has been preserved regarding this structure.
At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, when the village’s congregation grew so large that it no longer fit in the small Panagia church, it was considered necessary to construct a new parish church for the community. Agios Ioannis o Theologos, the most adored disciple of Jesus, was honoured with the construction of a church in the village’s centre, which began after the ideal location was located. The conclusion of the new pericallous church occurred at the start of the 20th century, specifically in 1905, as indicated by an inscription within a cross-shaped frame located above the southern entrance of the church.
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With the construction of the new church, the Panagia church was transformed into a chapel and a cemetery church. The new church of the village was constructed in the Neo-Gothic style, as were many churches in Cyprus at the time. Two large windows are located in the church’s northeast and southeast sections, and eight tiny circular skylights are located at the peak of the roof.
At Prastio Avdimou, there are a number of magnificent churches. The churches are Ayios Ioannis Theologos, Panayia Diakinousa Church, Archangelos Michael Church (Ruins) and Ayia Eleni Church (Ruins)