Holy Monastery of Panagia Amartou. The Cave of Agiopetra and the holy water that flows from the rock

The Holy Monastery of Panagia Amartou is a small chapel, in an area of ​​incomparable beauty with a wonderful view between the villages of Kritinia and Embona. It is a small church with a long history and the miraculous icon of Panagia Amartou.

Although due to the many lootings and disasters over the years, not many historical facts have been preserved about the monastery of Amartou, its foundation dates back to the Middle Ages. It probably got its name from the French eupatridis Amarto who had his tower in that area, near the Monastery. The ruins of the tower still exist at the site, damaged by the passage of centuries. Another version is that the name of Panagia is from Saint Martha, to whom the church was dedicated.

We have a written reference to the Monastery of Panagia Amartou in a historical decree of the Knights, according to which Grand Master Piere D'Aubusson on February 24, 1493, gives permission to ten families from Chalki, 42 people, to settle in the area. The reasons for their colonization are unknown.

A little further from the small chapel of Amartou and elevated towards the sea, there is the cave of Agiopetra. The miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary was found there by the people of Chalki , and from the rocks inside the small cave holy water constantly drips, which the pilgrims reverently take as a blessing.

The icon was transferred a few years after its discovery to the small church that exists today and is a pilgrimage for the villages of the area. Her grace is celebrated every Shrove Tuesday and every September 8 with solemn divine liturgies, vespers and a traditional feast.

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