By Nicolas Bard

Our Lady of Myrtidiotissa is the largest monastery of Kythera and keeps inside the miraculous and historical icon of Our Lady, found in the 14th century by a shepherd in a location full of Myrtles. The monastery is located in the area of ​​Myrtidia, on the west side of the island, and is built on a natural rock opening, among too many myrtles. The icon of Our Lady of Myrtidiotissa is the most valuable heirloom of the island and is the ubiquitous protector of Kythiria.

According to tradition, a shepherd saw in his sleep an angel indicating a spot in the area where he had his sheep. There, in a myrtle there was a picture of the Virgin Mary. The shepherd woke up noise. The next morning he went to the spot and found the picture. So he took her to his home in the neighboring village of summer.

But at night the picture disappeared and returned to Myrtia! Then the shepherd saw Angel again telling him that the image had to stay there near Myrtia. So the shepherd built a small chapel next to Myrtia and placed the image there, which he named Myrtidiotissa. This chapel remains to this day and is called an old Catholic. It houses the icon of the Virgin Mary along with the Tamas of the faithful, some huge candles made by the priests of the time and some other small images.

The picture, when it was found, did not have the current dimensions. He was later acquired when he was placed in a wooden frame. In 1837 the golden garment was painted, the work of artist Nikolaos Spithakis. From this ancient icon only shows the faces, in which the characteristics are no longer distinguished. At the bottom of the gold lining there are three miracles of Myrtidiotissa. The miracle of the finding, the healing of the paralyzing and the miracle of the rescue of the Fortress of the City of Kythera from the Fall of Lightning in 1829.

In 1857, just above the old Catholic, the newest majestic temple was built at a three -aisled basilica. North and south of the younger Catholic are the cells of the faithful who visit the Monastery during the fasting of August 15th. A remarkable work inside the monastery is the 26 -meter -high towering tower with arched formations on the facades of the four floors of artist Nikolaos Facea. In all these works, the Hieromonk of the Hieromonk Kaligelos was pioneering.

During the pirate raids, the picture for obvious reasons was kept in the fortress of the city of Kythera, in the homonymous temple. The leading religious custom of Kythers is the ritual on Sunday of Orthodoxy from Myrtids in the country. The picture takes 15 days and passes through most of the island’s villages to end in the country. Many faithful even follow the picture during her journey and 15 days! Our Lady of Myrtidiotissa celebrates each year on September 24, which is the date of the image.

If you are in Kythera, it is worth a visit to this beautiful monastery. The energy that the place exudes is unique, and you will feel it already from the time you see the monastery from afar. The imposing belfry dominates the whole area, while the eye is lost in the endless and deep blue of the sea. Take a deep breath and feel the absolute calm. Maybe it’s the best gift you can make to yourself.