One of the 4 churches that are found in the village of Lania, in the district of Limassol, is dedicated to Panagia Valana. This church is found on the peak of the hill “Valana” that is part of the Zalaki mountain, and it is part of the mountain peaks of Troodos.
On the south of the hill Valana, on the foot of the mountain is where Lania is built. From the entrance to the village, you should head north and follow the guiding signs that will take you to the chapel and the community park of Lania.
It is a very steep road and relatively difficult, but it can be covered by all vehicles. At its most it is covered in concrete with appropriate anti slippery streaks, and the rest of it is covered in asphalt.
When ascending towards the peak of Valana, you will find the picnic site of Lania and a big parking place. In the picnic area there are two small Churches that are both dedicated to Panagia Valana. The old one is found on the edge of the deep valley of Lania and the Kourris river, and next to it is a perennial olive tree. In the yard surrounding it, there is a picnic area and a small park for children. In the same area, more north, you will find the new Church. It is built in the Byzantine style and it is cruciform with a dome.
It is a beautiful construction, surrounded with high cypress trees. From the location of the two Churches, you can see the whole area from the peak of Valana until the deep valley where the Kourris river runs.
The icon of Panagia Valana has a very long story behind it that literally gets lost in the depth of the centuries. No one knows when it has been drawn. What is know is that it exists from the first years of Christianity on the island.
During the years of Turkish domination, the icon was lost, after the destruction of all the Churches and monasteries that existed in the area by the Turks. For centuries it was buried in the sand, until the point when a shepherd found it, as he hit his crook on against the earth to scare his animals, he noticed that the noise was different. He searched, and found a case in which the icon of the Virgin was found along with holy relics and vestments.
In this location, they built a Church and dedicated it to the Virgin and gave her the name “Panagia Valana”.
From the day the icon of the Virgin was unburied from the earth, miracles began to happen. People that lost every trace of hope for cure, after they prayed to Our Lady, they got cured. News travelled fast and very soon thousands of worshippers came from all the places of Cyprus.
The area of the small Church and the inaccessible area it was found in, tormented the worshippers. It was decided that the miraculous icon should be transferred to an accessible place for all the people. They moved it into the Holy Church of Panagia Chrysolantitissa that was in the village itself and it is still there today.
The recent miracle of Panagia Valana is impressive. In the year 2012 a boy that could not be helped by scientists since he had many tumours, after he fell asleep under the icon of the Virgin, he left his wheelchair aside and today he can walk freely and is absolutely healthy.
