THE INTERSECTION OF CULTS OF APHRODITE OURANIA AND HODEGETRIA “PANAGIA MYRTIDIŌTISSA” IN THE ISLAND OF KYTHERA

Within the scope of this study, it is analyzed in which elements the cult of Aphrodite, a Pagan goddess born in Island of Kythera, was transferred to the Virgin Mary, one of the most important religious figures of Christianity, in the same geography. Among the epithets of Aphrodite, Ourania, which is identified with the Island of Kythera, is similar to Hodegetria-Myrtidiōtissa Mary in some aspects. In addition, the myrtle, one of the most well-known attribute of the goddess Aphrodite and the plant she patronized, was transferred to the Virgin Mary in the same cult area. Virgin Mary performed a miracle to find her lost icon in the myrtle bushes. As a result of this miracle and the cult transferred to Mary on the Island of Kythera with the icon attributed sanctity, the epithet Myrtidiōtissa, which is almost never mentioned in the sources, emerged. Just as the Temple of Aphrodite Ourania, a sanctuary was built for Virgin Mary on Island of Kythera called Church of Panagia Myrtidiōtissa and the tradition was transferred to Christianity with all its elements.