Holy Monastery of Myrtidiotissa

The complex of the Monastery in the area of Myrtidia consists of: a) the Catholic in the center which belongs to the type of three-naved basilica with the central nave elevated, narthex and gallery (women’s section of the church), at the lower level of which was the original Church of the Virgin Mary, b) the cells arranged north and south of the Catholic, in which are hosted mainly believers during the fasting period of the first fifteen days of August (Dekapentismos), c) the bell tower to the NE of the Catholic, made of alabaster, total height 26m with impressive arched formations on the fronts of the four floors, d) the small temple of the Holy Trinity, single-room vaulted, of post-Byzantine times. The original Church of Panagia has been adapted to the natural configuration of a rocky opening in which there is a shallow niche in the north to host the icon of Panagia Myrtidiotissa, a place that refers to its discovery. During the years of pirate raids, the icon was kept for security reasons in the fortress of the city of Kythera in the homonymous temple. The major religious tradition of Kythera is the procession of the icon from Myrtidia to Chora, on the Sunday of Orthodoxy. The procession of the image lasts 15 days, passing through most of the villages of the island, before it arrives in Chora. Many believers follow the icon during its 15-day tour! Panagia Myrtidiotissa celebrates on September 24, the date the icon was found.