Church of Panagia Eleousa
Feast day: September 8
The erection of the parish church of Panagia Eleousa or Panagia Nikiforos (Virgin Victorious in Greek) began in 1847, according to the inscription that survives above the lintel of the central south door. It was repaired in 1870, while in 1904 the decorated belfry was added to the southeast corner. It consists of the core of a complex, which includes the residence of the priest and the old elementary school. The name of “Panagia Nikiforos” may have absorbed a pre-existing cult in the area of Tochni.
It may be associated with the tragic moments of the history of Lefkara, during the conquest of the island by the Ottomans, where the anticipation of the intervention of the Mother of God was the only hope of salvation. The single-aisled, vaulted church measures 19.10 m (about 22 including the arch) by 10.45 m. The sculptural decoration of the church is characterised by the presence of neoclassical elements. The church has a beautiful wood-carved iconostasis manufactured between 1863 and 1866 and important icons dating from the 16th to the 20th century. The church is a listed monument (Table B). The feast day of the church is on the 8th of September (Nativity of the Theotokos).