Divine Inspiration - Aphrodite and Virgin Mary

DIVINE INSPIRATION The queen of Cyprus is Aphrodite. Aphrodite was the merciful of Cyprus, a title also of the Virgin Mary the merciful of Cyprus; she is the queen of Cyprus in Christianity, the celestial Maria but also the mother of Christ. Kykkotissa, is the merciful of Kykkos. This connection is very important because we see the virginity on the one side and the giving birth to God on the other, we see Aphrodite who blesses the place through the mysteries of love and beauty. Evanthia and Mary have been friends for many years and through their discussions concerning the two primary female figures of Cyprus, came the inspiration for a collaboration highlighting the various epithets/attributes of Aphrodite and Panayia and try to establish any links. The series of paintings and icons under the title Pantanassa came about as a result of Mary Plant’s interest in Aphrodite and Evanthia Kouma’s interest in Byzantine icons and in particular the Panayia (Virgin Mary). In order of