St George's Church and Shrine Caves
St George's Church and Shrine Caves
Web Designer / Developer. Currently working on Paphos Life.
Living in Polemi, Cyprus with my wife and daughter.
Living in Polemi, Cyprus with my wife and daughter.
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cyprusmax47
- Posts: 5207
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 10:10 am
- Location: Paphos area since 1982
Re: St George's Church and Shrine Caves
Very nice photos in what I believe difficult conditions of illumination.
These caves were also used in ancient times as they lay on the sacred way from Paphos harbour
towards Kouklia (Palea Paphos). Some more information from this article:
Ritual prostitution seems to have been a significant part of the cult of Aphrodite at Palea Paphos. It was said that every young maiden went once in her lifetime to the sanctuary to make love with a stranger. The man chose his maiden, and threw some money at her feet (the sum was unimportant) and pronounced the formula, "I invoke the goddess upon you." Beautiful maidens were able to fulfill their duty quickly, while the ugly had to wait sometimes as long as four years to get it over with.
The memory of these rituals remained strong long after the destruction of the shrine. In the mid-14th century, the German priest Ludolf of Suchen described the ancient pagan pilgrimages in which
During spring festivals for Aphrodite and Adonis, separate processions of garlanded men and women walked along the Sacred Way from Nea Paphos to the shrine of Aphrodite at Palea Paphos, where there were games and contests of music and poetry. This tradition survives (except for the prostitution) in the modern spring flower festival, Anthistiria, which is especially popular in Ktima Pafos.
The Sanctuary of Aphrodite continued to flourish in the Roman era. Several Roman emperors honored the shrine, and it was visited by Titus in 69 AD when the future emperor was on his way to Egypt. He consulted the oracle of Aphrodite, and was told that he had a great future. The sanctuary was rebuilt by the Romans after the earthquake of 76/77 AD, in a design that preserved the oriental layout of the original.
The cult of Aphrodite survived at Palea Paphos until the 4th century AD, when Emperor Theodosius outlawed paganism. It is not known when the cult of Aphrodite was suppressed or if the local population resisted the edict.
These caves were also used in ancient times as they lay on the sacred way from Paphos harbour
towards Kouklia (Palea Paphos). Some more information from this article:
Ritual prostitution seems to have been a significant part of the cult of Aphrodite at Palea Paphos. It was said that every young maiden went once in her lifetime to the sanctuary to make love with a stranger. The man chose his maiden, and threw some money at her feet (the sum was unimportant) and pronounced the formula, "I invoke the goddess upon you." Beautiful maidens were able to fulfill their duty quickly, while the ugly had to wait sometimes as long as four years to get it over with.
The memory of these rituals remained strong long after the destruction of the shrine. In the mid-14th century, the German priest Ludolf of Suchen described the ancient pagan pilgrimages in which
During spring festivals for Aphrodite and Adonis, separate processions of garlanded men and women walked along the Sacred Way from Nea Paphos to the shrine of Aphrodite at Palea Paphos, where there were games and contests of music and poetry. This tradition survives (except for the prostitution) in the modern spring flower festival, Anthistiria, which is especially popular in Ktima Pafos.
The Sanctuary of Aphrodite continued to flourish in the Roman era. Several Roman emperors honored the shrine, and it was visited by Titus in 69 AD when the future emperor was on his way to Egypt. He consulted the oracle of Aphrodite, and was told that he had a great future. The sanctuary was rebuilt by the Romans after the earthquake of 76/77 AD, in a design that preserved the oriental layout of the original.
The cult of Aphrodite survived at Palea Paphos until the 4th century AD, when Emperor Theodosius outlawed paganism. It is not known when the cult of Aphrodite was suppressed or if the local population resisted the edict.
Re: St George's Church and Shrine Caves
Thank you for that insight. It is nice to know that ritual prostitution is a thing of the past.
Web Designer / Developer. Currently working on Paphos Life.
Living in Polemi, Cyprus with my wife and daughter.
Living in Polemi, Cyprus with my wife and daughter.
-
cyprusmax47
- Posts: 5207
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 10:10 am
- Location: Paphos area since 1982
Re: St George's Church and Shrine Caves
You are always welcome...
I find it interesting that at excavations around Kouklia golden masks were found.
It is believed that they belonged to Pilgrims in highest position not to be recognized
when they joined that ritual prostitution.
I find it interesting that at excavations around Kouklia golden masks were found.
It is believed that they belonged to Pilgrims in highest position not to be recognized
when they joined that ritual prostitution.
Re: St George's Church and Shrine Caves
Amazing. Will look forward to finding next time in Paphos whenever that maybe.
Re: St George's Church and Shrine Caves
Fascinating. There are always things to learn in Cyprus.
Off topic I know, but Dominic - when you say "our shop" - which shop is that!? Just in case we are in, and want to say "hi".
Off topic I know, but Dominic - when you say "our shop" - which shop is that!? Just in case we are in, and want to say "hi".
Re: St George's Church and Shrine Caves
I have no idea.
Web Designer / Developer. Currently working on Paphos Life.
Living in Polemi, Cyprus with my wife and daughter.
Living in Polemi, Cyprus with my wife and daughter.
Re: St George's Church and Shrine Caves
Fascinating blog. I have walked along that path, but had no idea that there are so many caves... we have wondered what their history might be....
