Every September 24, the Greek island of Kythera turns toward one of its most treasured religious traditions: the feast of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Myrtidiotissa. The celebration centers on an icon of the Virgin Mary whose story begins, according to local tradition, among the island’s myrtle trees.
The sanctuary of Panagia Myrtidiotissa, located in western Kythera, remains the home of the icon and one of the island’s most important religious sites.
An Icon Found Among the Myrtle Trees
According to tradition, a shepherd discovered the icon in a secluded area covered with myrtle trees. This gave the Virgin her name, Myrtidiotissa, meaning the Virgin associated with the myrtles.
The exact date of the discovery is uncertain. Sources give different traditions, including 1160 and the 15th century. The account belongs to Kythera’s religious tradition rather than established historical fact.
The tradition also became part of the icon’s visual story. Its decorative covering, created in 1837 by Nikolaos Theophilos Spithakis, includes a representation of the discovery in its lower section.
The original small church stands at the traditional site of the discovery. It was built into a natural rocky opening, with a shallow niche marking the place associated with the finding of the icon.
A Sanctuary Built Around the Tradition
The sanctuary that visitors see today developed around that older site.
The present main church was built between 1841 and 1857 under the direction of the abbot Agathangelos Kalligeros. It follows the form of a three-aisled basilica and contains a marble iconostasis—the screen separating the sanctuary from the congregation—created in 1856 by the Tinos artist Iakovos Varoutis.
Another landmark is the stone bell tower. Standing 26 meters high, it was decorated in 1888 by Kytherian craftsman Nikolaos Fatseas. The sanctuary complex also includes cells and a chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity.
The icon’s history also reflects efforts to protect it during difficult periods. It was kept in the church at the Castle of Kythera because of fears of pirate raids before returning to the sanctuary in 1842.
Why September 24 Matters in Kythera
Panagia Myrtidiotissa is celebrated every year on September 24. According to the sanctuary’s tradition, the feast commemorates both the discovery of the icon and the healing of a paralyzed person.
The celebration has become one of the major religious occasions on the island, bringing together worshippers and visitors. Devotion to the icon also extends to Kytherian communities abroad.
The feast’s significance extends beyond the sanctuary itself. Panagia Myrtidiotissa is regarded as the protector of Kythera and remains a symbol of the island’s religious and cultural identity.
A Tradition That Still Lives On
This year, the celebration also has a contemporary cultural element.
The Municipality of Kythera and the Domestic Property Committee of Kythera and Antikythera have announced a concert dedicated to Panagia Myrtidiotissa for September 24, 2026. The event is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. at the sanctuary, following a Vespers service presided over by a bishop.
Grigoris Papaemmanouil, accompanied by a traditional orchestra, will perform hymns and traditional songs dedicated to the Virgin Mary, adding music to the island’s annual observance.
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