On the south east side of Troodos mountain, in the heart of Pitsilia, is the leafy village of Ayios Theodoros Agrou located at the foot of Papoutsa. It is situated 54km from Nicosia and 32 km from Limassol.
In bygone times every one of the seven hills used to have its own chapel: Ayios Theodoros, Panayia Kivotos, Prophet Elias, Ayia Paraskevi, Archangelos,Ayios Georgios, Ayios Mamas. Only three continue to conduct mass today: Ayios Theodoros, Panayia Kivotos and Ayios Georgios. The simple church of Panayia Kivotos was built in the 16th century. Its iconostasis dating to the 17th century is very well preserved. The icon in the church of Panayia Kivotos, or Kykkotissa, is believed to assist in answering prayers for rain.
The history of the village can be traced from the Roman period through the Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian, Turkish and English eras. Its long history is evident from such names in the area as Royal, Grand prerie - Big Valley fin French - Sufis and Mimetic - Turkish names that point to the one-time presence of Turks in the village. The latter, according to village lore, were chased out by the protector of the village, Panayia (Virgin Mary).
History apart, Ayios Theodoros Agrou is blessed with great natural beauty. At the entrance to the village is a magical scene. Ever-changing with the seasons is a bevy of trees: almonds, peach, cherry, apple, pine and poplar, while acres of vineyards stretch away into the distance. Narrow cobbled streets are lined with tiled, stone-built houses. In winter, adorned with a mantle of white, the village is silent and peaceful. In spring and summer it is bedecked in green, and rustic life is punctuated only by the sweet sound of birdsong.
Eminent Cypriot painter Adamantios Diamantis lived at Ayios Theodoros for many years and, not surprisingly, some of his best work as inspired by this idyllic natural environment .
Entering the village the visitor can walk along the narrow streets, he can light a candle in the church, visit the Cultural Centre drink the bubbling water of the fountain and admire the noted exhibits at the Popular Museum, which is accommodated in a beautiful, traditional house.
Ayios Theodoros makes a very worthwhile stopping point. As the great Cypriot painter Adamantios Diamantis wrote in his letter to the poet George Seferis: "Ayios Theodoros is the village that showed me the people of Cyprus in their true light - their sincerity and their warmth ... I return from Europe disillusioned by shallow morals and materialism, by corruption and greed by the emptiness, the cynicism. I feel the urge to return to my roots. My grandfather came from these parts ..." These true to life places at the very heart of Cyprus are described on these pages. It is up to you to discover them - and grow to love them
