Chapel of Saint Vryena in Mandria (Paphos, Cyprus)

A Unique Shrine of Paphos

The Chapel of Saint Vryeni in the village of Mandria (Paphos district, Cyprus) is the only church in the world dedicated to the Cypriot Saint Vryeni. Every year on August 30, the saint’s memory is commemorated here. The church is a single-nave basilica with a tiled roof, located on a hill above a cave to the south of the village, and it plays an important role in the religious and cultural life of the region.

The Founding Legend: A Miracle During the Storm

According to tradition, in the 13th century a ship bound for Egypt was caught in a storm off the southwestern coast of Cyprus. One of the sailors carried an icon of Saint Vryeni and persuaded the captain to pray for salvation. After the storm suddenly ceased and the vessel stopped by the shore, the sailors built a chapel out of local limestone. The cave where the stone was quarried has survived to this day.

Trials: Destruction and Oblivion

Over the centuries, the church suffered raids and destruction. In the 20th century, the chapel was looted several times during intercommunal conflicts. In the early 1960s, after the departure of Greek Cypriots from Mandria, the church was abandoned and by the late 1970s had fallen into ruins, with its memory almost erased.

Revival: A Miraculous Vision and New Builders

After the Turkish invasion of 1974, refugees from the village of Assia settled in Mandria. A woman named Stavroula had a dream in which a little girl dressed in black pointed out a place by the sea where the foundations of the old chapel lay hidden. The next day, she discovered the remains of the foundation, which marked the beginning of the site’s restoration.

The New Chapel of 1986

In 1986, a new church was built on the site of the discovered foundation. It preserved simplicity and austerity: a rectangular building with a tiled roof and a small bell. The chapel is located on private land but remains open to all believers and pilgrims.

Mandria and Its Churches

In addition to the Chapel of Saint Vryeni, the village has other churches, such as the Church of Saints Andronikos and Athanasia, restored in modern times. However, it is the Chapel of Saint Vryeni that is regarded as the main place of pilgrimage, associated with miracles and the salvation of people.

Veneration of Saint Vryeni Today

Every year on August 30, services, village festivals, and pilgrimages are held in Mandria. Believers come from all over the island, while tourists can experience the Orthodox traditions of Cyprus and enjoy the atmosphere of a village feast.

Why the Church is Unique

• The only chapel in the world dedicated to Saint Vryeni.
• Connected with the legend of sailors saved during a storm.
• Went through destruction, oblivion, and miraculous restoration.
• Serves as an important place of pilgrimage and cultural heritage of Cyprus.

How to Get There and What to See

The chapel is located south of Mandria, about 20 minutes by car from Paphos. It is recommended to visit in the morning or early afternoon to combine the trip with a walk through the picturesque surroundings. In the area, you can also see other rural churches and taste traditional Cypriot dishes in local taverns.