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Machairas Monastery
Machairas Monastery

Located on the slopes of Kionia, in the valley of Machairas mountains, Machairas Monastery is one of the three Royal and Stavropegic of the island and houses the miraculous icon of Panagia (the Virgin Mary) of Machairas, which is attributed to Agios Loukas (Apostle Luke) the Evangelist.

According to tradition, an unknown hermit sneaked the icon into Cyprus during the iconoclasm years (between the 8th and 9th century AD) and kept it in his cave until his death. Blessed with the divine grace, the hermits Ignatios and Neophytos around 1145, discovered the cave - which was obscured by bushes - and were able to reach it by cutting down the undergrowth with a knife given to them by divine hand. As a result, the revealed icon was given the name  ‘Machairiotissa’ from the Greek word for ‘knife’ - ‘machairi’. The monastery was built on the same spot, also taking the name.

Today, the renovated vestry basement houses a collection of old books and manuscripts, icons and other religious artefacts.

The brotherhood at the monastery is extremely devout, keeping vows as strict as those of Mount Athos in Greece.

Monastery of Panagia tou Machaira - Audio Guide 

Region: Troodos area [Lefkosia (Nicosia) district]
Address: Machairas Valley
GPS coordinates: Lat: 34.940564 Lon: 33.189247
Contact No: Tel: +357 22 359 334, Fax: +357 22 359 333
Operating Hours:
Daily: 9:30 – 18:00
Saturday-Sunday: 6:30 - 18:00
From July to the end of  October, the old building of the Monastery remains closed for pilgrims, who may visit the Church of Agios Gregorios Palamas by the entrance of the Monastery.
Visiting hours for organised tourist groups: Monday,  Tuesday, Thursday 9:00-12:00, following previous communication.
Operating Period: All year round.
Entrance Fee: Free
No photography or video permitted.
  Opening and closing times are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 
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