Applicants:
Ecclesiastical Committee of the Holy Cave of Panayia Chrysospiliotissa of Kato Deftera
Ecclesiastical Committee of the Holy Church of Ayios Nicolaos of Kato Deftera
Community Council of Kato Deftera
Christian Women’s Association “Panayia Chrysospiliotissa”
Folklore Association of the Parish “Panayia Chrysospiliotissa”
Date of inscription:
2018
Brief description:
One of the most famous and popular festivals celebrated with great splendour in Cyprus is that of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on August 15th. The celebration of the Assumption, the most important of all theometoric celebrations in Cyprus and Greece, is also called the “Summer Easter”. It is one of the official holidays in Cyprus. In the community of Kato Deftera, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is celebrated by holding a multi-day festival at the Cave Church — the Hermitage of Panayia Chrysospiliotissa. The cave of the Virgin Mary is carved into a rock about 34 metres high, on the east bank of the Pedieos River. It consists of three carved caves, which communicate through a carved tunnel. The festival of Panayia Chrysospiliotissa begins on August 7, immediately after the celebration of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, and lasts until midnight on August 16. It is considered to be the largest religious festival in Cyprus today, attracting about eighty thousand faithful and pilgrims from all parts of Cyprus and abroad every year.