The restoration of the historic church of Panagia tis Melissas near Akanthou has been completed, the co-chair of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, Sotos Ktoris, announced in a social media post.
The small chapel, set in a striking landscape on the northern slope of the Pentadaktylos range between Akanthou and Flamoudi, underwent conservation works funded by the European Union and supported technically by UNDP. Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot conservators, architects, engineers and builders worked “in harmony, with zeal and dedication,” Ktoris said.
A church with deep roots
The church is a barrel‑vaulted structure, possibly dating to the 19th century, and is closely linked to the icon of Chrysosotiras. According to local tradition, as the icon was being transported from the port to the village, the mule carrying it broke away and was found in a mastic bush beside the church of Melissas.
The church is believed to have served as the main place of worship of an older settlement that was later abandoned, possibly after a raid or natural disaster. It lies within the boundaries of Flamoudi and is celebrated jointly by both Akanthou and Flamoudi. Residents of the old settlement eventually moved to one of the two neighbouring villages.
