Historic Church of Agios Ioannis the Russian in Vouni destroyed by fire

The small church of Agios Ioannis the Russian in the village of Vouni, Limassol, has been reduced to ashes after being engulfed by the wildfires that swept through the area earlier this week.

Firefighters and volunteers battled relentlessly to save the church, but the flames proved too strong. Now, only charred remains stand where the cherished chapel once welcomed thousands of faithful each year.

Located just south of the village and near the larger church of Panagia Peravouniotissa, Agios Ioannis the Russian held deep spiritual significance for locals and visitors alike. Pilgrims regularly came to the church to seek the blessings of the miracle-working saint.

The church was dedicated to Saint John the Russian, a revered figure in Orthodox Christianity. His story dates back to the Russo-Turkish War of 1711, when he was captured and sold into slavery. Despite his suffering, Saint John inspired faith and respect from both Christians and Muslims. After his death in 1730, his relics, said to be miraculous, were buried in Prokopi, Asia Minor. In 1832, an attempt by the Turkish army to burn his remains reportedly failed, with the relics remaining untouched by fire, fueling his reputation as a miracle-working saint.

Now, the irony is painful: a church dedicated to a saint believed to have survived fire has itself been lost to one.

While the community mourns the destruction, many are also calling for accountability, questioning how, in an area known for its fire risk, this could have happened again. The loss of the church is more than physical. For many in Vouni and beyond, it represents yet another blow in a summer filled with loss, as fires continue to destroy homes, livelihoods, and symbols of cultural and religious heritage.