Agios Ioannis Pitsilias

Agios Ioannis Pitsilias is a village in the district of Limassol in Cyprus and is located 33 km north from Limassol, 85 kilometers west of Larnaca, 58 km southwest of Nicosia and 85 kilometers east of Paphos.

Built at an altitude of 880 meters at the foot of the Papoutsa mountain with its vertical peaks, Agios Ioannis Pitsilias is a small village surrounded by lush vegetation, with beautiful picturesque neighborhoods built amphitheatrically on the slopes of the mountain, narrow sloping streets, paved squares and old traditional buildings with tiled rooftops, anogia (upper floor of a house) overflowing with flowers and with hanging balconies. Not many things are cultivated here because of the steep and rocky terrain, but you will find cherry, apple and peach trees, as well as a few orchards and vineyards.

The village has existed since the 12th century AD, but it really flourished from 1850 onwards, as it was one of the biggest villages in the area.

The name of the community comes from Agios Ioannis o Lampadistis (St. John the Illuminator), who came and stayed for a while in the area, at the location where later was built the homonymous church. Actually, this saint was the patron saint of the village until the 17th century. Then an icon of Archangel Michael was found and the residents changed the patron saint of the village, which is unusual.

In Agios Ioannis Pitsilias or Agios Ioannis Agrou, as it is very close to the neighboring Agros village, visitors can enjoy the magnificent natural landscape of the mountain, follow one of the many Nature trails or visit the picnic area, and admire and important religious sites of the community. In order to enjoy a hearty meal, you can visit the local youth center that also functions as a restaurant or cafe.

The traditional stone drinking fountain is located behind the memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Turkish invasion of 1974.

The old stone church of the Archangel Michael, who is, as was already mentioned, the patron of the community, is a basilica built without a steeple, in the early 1750 in the village center. Tradition says it was built when a local resident whilst returning from his fields stopped to quench his thirst at a source in the “Vrysia” area and suddenly felt his body paralyzed and could not speak. Having invoked the help of Archangel Michael, he made a promise to build in his honor a church. At night in his sleep he saw the Archangel indicating him the location and the design of the church. The vow was fulfilled and all icons were transferred to the temple from the church of St. John the Illuminator and where later was also transferred the miraculous icon of the Archangel that was found in the ruins of a small temple in “Alonakia”, in 1700. The most striking element in the church is the carved and gilded iconostasis of the 17th century. The Church of Archangel Michael belongs to the Department of Antiquities and holds service 5-10 times a year and is celebrated on September 6 and November 8 with a great feast, with visitors arriving to the region from all over Cyprus. In the churchyard there is also the old olive mill of the village.

The new Byzantine style stone church of the Archangel Michael with the marble iconostasis was built in the village center in 1933, with icons of the 12th century and the gilded icon of the Archangel transferred from the old homonymous church. On the day of the celebration of the saint, a procession and public adoration take place.

Apart from the two churches dedicated to Archangel Michael and to Agios Ioannis (St. John) of Pitsilia, two kilometers outside the village, in the place “Alonakia”, there is also the stone chapel of Archangel Michael where his icon was found. The chapel was rebuilt in 1988, on the ruins of an older temple. The image of the saint is located in the larger church, but on the feast day is moved here for the procession.

The chapel of Panagia (Virgin Mary) is located just outside the village on a hill, while the chapel of Agia Polyxeni (Saint Polyxena) is built at the “Latsiin” location. The stone chapel of St. John the Illuminator with the tiled roof is built in the village center, just above the church of Archangel Michael and has the icon of St. John from 1883. Previously the church was used also as a primary school, while the during the Liberation Struggle of EOKA in 1955-59, it was used as a gathering point. Today it celebrates on October 4 with the procession of the image.

The village Agios Ioannis Pitsilias is twinned with Agios Ioannis Kamenou of Agios Vasilios in Rethymno, Crete.