Apart from the Orthodox religious brotherhoods founded in Kythera during the Venetian rule, in 1622 a Brotherhood of Catholics was created in the name of St. Donora with its seat in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Latins in the Castle. In 1680, the Icon of Myrtidia was transferred from Myrtidia to this church and placed in a separate altar. The cart of Saint Theodoros had been transferred there since 1613. It seems that it was a standard policy of the Venetians to appropriate and exploit the holiest relics of the Orthodox in the Venetian-occupied areas under the excuse of protection and preservation from pirates.
The Brotherhood of Agia Donera slowly fell into inactivity, because the Catholics in Kythera were few in number. In order to strengthen it and give it more prestige, the Catholics in 1691 re-founded it and gave it a second nickname «of the Virgin Mary of Myrtidia». The Icon of Myrtidiotissa has always been the greatest attraction for the Kythirians. Thus, Kytherians came to the Latin church of the Castle with their offerings, especially during the period of the terrible plague (1690-1691). However, the members of the Brotherhood requested that the dedications remain in the Castle and be used for the expansion and decoration of the Latin church. It is understood that the Venetian Provost and the Venetian Captain General of the Sea, Mocenigo, satisfied the request of the Brotherhood and so the offerings of the Cypriots to Myrtidiotissa were spent by the Catholics.
SOURCE: Maria Patramanis: Maria Maria Mariana Maria Mariani, Orthodox and Catholics in Kythera.
NOSTOS Magazine of the Kytherian University Students Group Vol. 4, Athens 2007
