The Church of Panagia Katoliki in the village of Kuklia

A Testimony of Spiritual Warfare

Paganism, or the worship of idols—man-made statues and images of so-called gods—was, in essence, as King David noted in his psalms, the worship of demons, and was widespread in the pre-Christian era. Monotheism, or belief in the one true God, has always been in conflict with paganism. With the advent of Christianity, this struggle against idolatry continued actively amongst all peoples and cultures. The ancient temple in the village of Kuklia bears witness to this struggle on the island of Cyprus. The original sanctuary, dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, was destroyed by an earthquake in the 4th century AD.

Later, on this site, a few dozen metres to the east, the Church of Panagia Katholiki (Greek: Παναγία καθολικής) was built. This church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, became a symbol of her profound veneration and the de facto abolition of the cult of Aphrodite, which had once been very popular in Cyprus.

The church dates back to the 12th century, which attests to the existence of a Byzantine settlement on the site of the modern village of Kouklia in those distant times.

The Church of Panagia Katholiki is one of the most significant ecclesiastical monuments in the Paphos district. Be sure to visit this place: from the high hill, there is a breathtaking view of the sea.

History of the church

The church building that has survived to the present day is the result of two phases of construction.

The first phase dates back to the 12th–13th centuries. Originally, the church was a classic Byzantine cross-domed church. The eastern section, comprising the apse—where the altar area is situated—and the dome, has survived to the present day. Unfortunately, the frescoes from that period have not survived.

The earliest surviving fragment of an icon of Saint Ferapont in a niche on the eastern wall dates from the 14th century.

In the 16th century, during the second phase of construction, the western part was rebuilt. The church was enlarged, and today we see a single-nave domed church.

Fragments of the frescoes from the 16th century have survived in the dome, as well as on the western and northern walls.

The church is currently closed to visitors.

How to get there

Finding the church is very straightforward: from the motorway linking Limassol and Paphos, take the exit signposted ‘Kouklia, Archimandrita’ and then follow the signs towards Kouklia and the Sanctuary of Aphrodite. Map: ‘Cyprus Inform. Holy Sites. Kouklia’, point ‘A’.

Furthermore, if you have time, you can head up into the mountains (a distance of about 5 km) and visit the ‘Paleo Enklistro’ hermitage and the Hermitage of the Holy Fathers in the village of Archimandrita.