A beautifully unique location in Paphos, where the legends of Aphrodite accompany visitors of Cyprus and specifically Paphos. From the ancient times Cyprus was named the island of love. Cyprus, will certainly romance you and almost undoubtedly win you over.

In an atmosphere that was thick with heady aromas, full of frankincense and anointing essences, the ceremonies in honour of Aphrodite would start. Initially flowers and aromatic plants were burned on alters and the augurs (soothsayers) looked into the future through the rising curls of smoke. During the libation, honey was poured onto the floor of the temple.  Later preparations were started for the sacrifices, the offered animals were decorated elaborately and were sacrificed according to ceremonial rituals, they were burned on alters and their ashes would be used by the augurs to look into the future.

For the honour of the Goddess, people were sacrificing birds, goats, cows and wild boars.  These rituals were continued until nightfall.

During the second day of the ceremonies the Holy Prostitution would take place.  Women participating were expected to stay awake all night until the dawn, at which time their wakefulness would be accompanied with music and exhalations encouraging them to achieve the perfect holy action.  The morning of the second day witnessed the women wearing wreaths and sitting in the temple waiting until someone chose them.  They would wait until a man threw a coin to their knee saying “ I adduce for you the Goddess Mylitta”.  The coin was offered to Aphrodite.  The erotic action that was to follow took place outside of the temple, perhaps in the area of the Holy Grove.  Followers of Paphian Aphrodite had to participate in Holy Prostitution at least once during their lifetime.  Afterwards they could repeat this religious obligation using symbolic methods.

The ceremony of the Holy Prostitution was concluded with ceremonial sea bathing with the participation of the Archpriestess, the priestess and all the women that had participated in the ceremonies.