Great medieval structure and jewel of the village is the church of Panagia Eleousa or Chryseleousa, as it is cosmetized sometimes. Any icon is painted with the same style of art, as the icon of the Virgin of Kykkos is painted, and is called Eleousa. Many other temples of Paphos bear this name as, for instance, the temples in Akourdalia, Giolou, Empa, Inia, Theletra, Kili, Critos, Lasa, Lysos, Simos, Polemios, etc.
History-Architecture:
The temple was built in the late 12th or early 13th century, at the same time when the churches of Panagia (Our Lady) in Empa and St. Theodosius in Acheleia were built. The church of Chloraka, in the form of isosceles cross with a dome at the intersection of antennas and is the same as the churches of Panagia of Kouklia and St. Theodosius of Acheleia. It is of Franco-Byzantine style, single-vault domed. In its western entrance the temple is distinguish with the coat of arms of Frank occupiers in the shape of “T”. Mr. Gwynneth der Parthog, in his book “Byzantine and Medieval Cyprus”, indicates that there was an old Roman building interconnected with the northern wall of the west side. He also mentions that there are two peaked arches distinguished from inside the temple, which probably reveal the existence of a Frank chapel.
Wall paintings:
The church is frescoed. Frescoes are characterized by stylization, monochromaticity and complete indifference to the rendering of volumes. The oldest frescoes belong to the 13th century and are seen on the south wall of the western leg of the temple. There still remain two parapet walls with saints, of which one is Agia Kyriaki, while the other is damaged. Another old mural located on the north wall and depicts St. George killing the dragon.
The newer layers of frescoes have covered the old frescoes. In the sanctuary of the temple there are the following frescoes: the scene of Annunciation, Birth, Crucifixion, Lamentations, Sacrifice of Abraham, Baptism of the God-man, Archangel Michael and Virgin Mary, who is titled as Platytera. Inside the dome there is an imposing fresco of Pantocrator the following cyclic inscription in its base:
“Strengthen, O Lord, the Church which I have built with Your Precious Blood. Heaven, full of light, has been revealed to all who illuminate the faithful who stand in it, crying out, ‘This is the house.’”
Beneath the dome are the Cherubim, the twelve Apostles, the four Evangelists, and John the Theologian. Other frescoes present in the church include the Archangel Michael on horseback, Jesus as the Righteous Judge, the Second Coming, and Saint Mina, also on horseback, on which the date 1898 is engraved.
The Iconostasis:
The current wooden iconostasis of the church is painted in a folk style, with vibrant colors. There are three portable icons. Previously, there was the icon of the Virgin of the Odigitria and that of John the Theologian, which were later transferred to the new church. These icons are from the 18th century. In place of the Virgin of the Odigitria, another icon of the Virgin Mary, titled as Eleousa, was placed, which was painted in 1957. Above the portable icons is a narrower band of miniatures arranged in two rows. The first row contains thirteen images, and the second twelve.
In the altar door of the church, the Theotokos is depicted from the Annunciation scene, and lower down are the half-length figures of Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian, and Saint Nicholas. The leaves of the altar door are framed by two scaly dragons.
Women’s Gallery:
The church of the Virgin Mary of Eleousa operated until 1928, when the church of the Virgin of Chrysoaimatousa was consecrated. Older parishioners remember a separate area for women in the church, initially separated by wood and later by a wall. This way, the crossing of men’s and women’s gazes was avoided in the sacred space of the church. In the women’s gallery, there was a large fresco of the Archangel Michael. Many times in the past, areas of the church were specially arranged and functioned as classrooms.
An Old Custom:
It is worth mentioning the following Easter custom that existed in Chloraka and other villages until the early 20th century. All adult men would go to church dressed in white trousers on Holy Saturday, and as the day changed and the priest sang “Christ is Risen,” they would take their guns and fire shots over the church dome.
A Recent Miracle:
Many residents of Chloraka have witnessed miracles performed by the Virgin Mary. One night in 1999, a woman who had been unable to conceive after many years of marriage went to pray with a friend to the Virgin Mary. The two women prayed with deep faith and reverence. A few days later, the woman visited her doctor, who, astonished, informed her that she was pregnant and would indeed have twins, as happened.
The church of the Virgin Mary of Eleousa receives many visitors daily, mainly tourists who wish to admire the Byzantine architecture. The church is under the supervision of the Paphos Archaeological Museum.
