Pafos Live 30 August 2023
Vespers were celebrated last night and divine service this morning in the only church worldwide dedicated to the Saint is also located in Mandria of Pafos. Agia Vryaini is a Cypriot Saint.
It is unknown to most but in Paphos and specifically in the village of Mandria it is particularly honored. In Mandria , Paphos there is a chapel dedicated to Agia Vryaini. The small church with panoramic views, located very close to the sea, is the only church in the world dedicated to this Saint.
One of the most famous legends around the chapel of Agia Vryaini recounts that while a boat was off Cyprus, suddenly a great storm broke out.
The captain, seeking refuge to save his ship, approached the shores. But the storm led him to Mandria. The captain and the sailors of the ship, seeing then the danger of crashing into the rocks, begged the icon of Saint Vryaini, which was on board, to save them. They even made a vow that if they were saved they would build a church in her honour.
Saint Vryaini heard the prayers of the sailors and the storm subsided. The captain, in order to show his gratitude that he and his men were saved, kept the vow he made and built a small chapel in the name of Saint Vryaini near the sea. The chapel of Agia Vryaini was beaten three times by the Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of the village. In 1975, along with the refugees who came to Mandria chased by the Turkish invader, was a woman from Assia, Mrs. Stavroula. Nothing at that time resembled the chapel, whose ruins were hidden under the ground.
One night, however, a woman dressed in black appeared in Mrs. Stavroula's sleep and pointed out a spot near the sea. Pointing to her, he said, "Do you see these foundations? There is a chapel there. Go and find it." The next day the woman went to the place she saw in her dream. Under the soil he found the foundations of the old church of Agia Vryaini.
In 1986 the inauguration of the new chapel took place. It was built high on a hill, above a cave, to the south of the village. The Saint is famous for her miracles and on several occasions she has saved cancer patients. By word of mouth, from grandparents to their grandchildren, with the miracles that took place, the existence of the church of Saint Vryaini was spread and learned.
Saint Vryaini may have been the mother of Saint Fantinos and passed away peacefully. It is celebrated on August 30, where a festival takes place and many are the faithful who come on this day from various regions to worship her grace.
