25 the church of Panagia Angeloktisti has mosaics dating back to the 6th century? Did you know that... The church of Panagia Angeloktisti was built in the 11th century on the ruins of a 5th century early Christian basilica. According to a local tradition, the residents of ancient Kition, Cyprus, moved inland in order to protect themselves from the Arab invasions. They decided to build a church in honour of Virgin Mary (Panagia). While building the church, they realised that the foundations had moved to a different location overnight. After this miracle had occurred, the villagers changed the location of the church and noticed that an army of angels was coming down at night to build it; hence the name “Angeloktisti”, built by Angels. The interior of the church is decorated with significant frescoes of the 13th century, icons dated to various periods as well as the famous mosaic of Panagia Angeloktisti. The mosaic is considered to be one of the most significant and elaborate wall mosaics of early Christian art, dating back to the 6th century. It depicts Virgin Mary standing, holding baby Jesus in her left arm, with the Archangels Michael and Gabriel on either side.
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