The Virgin Mary of Myrtidiotissa is the patron saint of Kythira and Pylos
Every year on September 24, the icon of the Virgin Mary found in Kythira during the 13th century is honored by the Orthodox Church.
According to tradition, the original icon of the Virgin Mary with Christ was found by a shepherd in a valley southwest of Kythira, filled with myrtle trees, known as “Myrtidia,” in the 13th century A.D. In this icon, the features of the Theotokos and Christ were initially “clearly discerned up to the chest,” but “over time it gradually acquired a dark color.”
On this day, Myrsini and Myrto celebrate.
The Virgin Mary of Myrtidiotissa is the patron saint of Kythira and Pylos.
It is most likely that the icon was painted by the Evangelist Luke (1st century A.D.). In the place of its “discovery,” the poor shepherd built a small chapel and dedicated the rest of his life to its upkeep. After the death of the pious shepherd, the care of the small church of Myrtidiotissa was taken over by the Monk Leontios, who, with financial help from the people of Kythira, slightly enlarged the original chapel and built nearby several cells for the hospitality of pilgrims.
However, the large number of pilgrims arriving from various places created the need for a larger church. The difficult task of erecting this building was passionately started by the industrious Hieromonk Agathangelos Kalligeros in 1841 A.D., and over sixteen years, a magnificent complex was created, consisting of a grand church, a masterfully tall bell tower, and many guest cells.
It is worth noting that on the crown of the Most Holy Icon of the Virgin Mary of Myrtidiotissa, there is a precious diamond-studded ornament shaped like a crescent moon. Let us remember its story:
According to what the late Sophocles Kaloutsis, the hymnographer of Myrtidiotissa, preserved (Myrtidiotissa Sequence, 5th edition, p. 149), there was once a rich and prominent Turk in Kythira, who was established in Turkish-occupied Crete and was a Muslim.
One day he noticed an unusual gathering of people in the square of the Metropolitan Church of the Crucified in Chora.
He asked what was happening, and they told him that the island was suffering from a prolonged drought, and therefore a procession of the Holy Icon of Myrtidiotissa would take place, which had already come down from the castle where it was then kept and was in the Crucified.
However, the sky was clear blue, and not a trace of cloud was visible on the horizon.
The Turk mocked this action because reason suggested it would not yield results. And he was so sure of it that he declared that if it rains after the procession, he would dedicate the golden crescent ornament he had with him to the Sacred Icon.
The procession took place with deep devotion, and the Kythirians, kneeling, prayed for the end of the drought. And the miracle happened. As soon as the Holy procession returned to the church, rain began to fall heavily.
The nonbeliever kept his promise and dedicated the ornament to the Virgin Mary.
When this happened is not mentioned. It may have occurred before 1837 A.D. At that time, the golden covering of the Icon was made by the artist Nikolaos Spithakis, and he likely did the adjustment of the crescent on the crown of the Virgin “in eternal memory of the accomplished miracle of ending the drought.”
Therefore, the dedication probably preceded 1837 A.D.
Dismissals
As an inexhaustible fountain of the good things near you, your most sacred icon, O Pure One, was given to the Kythirians, crying out: Rejoice, O protection of all who ask, rejoice, O salvation of those who honor you with yearning, rejoice, O He who grants healing to the paralyzed.
Nations now let us clap, let us raise our hands faithfully and sing hymns to the Theotokos, crying out with longing: Rejoice, O protection of all who request, rejoice, O salvation of those who honor you with yearning, rejoice, O He who grants healing to the paralyzed.