Month: December 2015

Larnaka – Glimpses of a glorious faith

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In the local route of Larnaka (Larnaca), the first stop is at the church of Αgios Lazaros as well as the Εcclesiastical Museum located there, as they constitute two of the most significant monuments of Cyprus.

In Kiti, the church of Panagia tis Aggeloktistis can be found; a very significant Byzantine museum, which houses an arc of an old-Christian church with a mosaic of the 6th century within its interior.

Heading to Kato Lefkara, the route passes from the church of Archangelos Michael, with beautiful frescoes of the 12th and 15th centuries. The church of Τimios Stavros, in Pano Lefkara is located at a point that has a visual contact with the Monastery of Stavrovouni, and in its interior there is a silver cross in remembrance of the Bishop of Amathous. Although not known when it was built, it is certain that the Monastery of Agios Minas, in Vavla, was revived after 1965 when it became a women’s monastery.

In Hoirokitia lie the ruins of a monastery that once belonged to the Knights Templar, and later to the Knights Hospitaller, whilst the church of Panagia tou Kampou has some significant frescoes.

Pyrga is the last stop of this route and gives visitors the chance to see the Monastery of Stavrovouni – a men’s monastery with a strict ritual, the Μediaeval Chapel, and the church of Agia Marina.

Total route length: 73 km.

Larnaka – Ammochostos – The byzantine jewels on the eastern coast

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The route starts from Larnaka (Larnaca) and specifically from the church of Αgios Lazaros and Larnaka Εcclesiastical Museum – two very significant ecclesiastical monuments.

In Sotira, the route passes from the Church of Μetamorfoseos tou Sotiros (Transfiguration of the Savour), a cemetery church dating back to the last years of the Venetian rule, and from the church of Αgios Mamas of approximately the same period, which houses a few frescoes.

In the Hortakia region lies the church of Αgios Georgios Hortakion, which stands out for its good proportions, although its frescoes that have been salvaged are very few. In the same area, visitors can see the church of Panagia Hortakion, which dates back to the 15th century.

In Paralimni, the route takes us to the church of Αgios Georgios, located in the city centre and built in the 19th century. Next to the church of Agios Georgios lies the church of Panagia-Agia Anna, a two-aisled church, estimated to have been built in the 14th century. In the interior, there is also a small Εcclesiastical Museum. A very significant stop on this route is at the Μonastery of Agia Napa – built in the 14th century – which is one of the most significant places of interest and, at the same time, related to poet Georgios Seferis.

Total route length: 76 km.

Lefkosia – Religious Gems 3

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This route, which is the third for Lefkosia (Nicosia), starts from Kato Deftera and the Spileo (cave) of Panagia tis Chrysospiliotissas with frescoes of the 14th century, where a large festival is held on August 15.

In Politiko, visitors will see the Μonastery of Agios Irakleidios, a women’s monastery, which can tell the entire history of the Orthodox Church. The renowned Μonastery of Panagia tou Machaira is the next stop of the route. Visitors have the opportunity to see one of the most significant monasteries of Cyprus – built in the 12thcentury with funds from Byzantine Emperors.

In Fikardou, one can admire the folk architecture of the village, which was declared, in its entirety, as an ancient monument by UNESCO. In Palaichori, the route passes from the church of Panagia tis Chrysopantanassas, which is located in the centre of the village, and by the Εcclesiastical Museum located very near to the church.

In Agrokipia, the last part of the route lies the church of the Μonastery of Agios Panteleimonos Acheras with interesting icons and a wood carved iconostasis, characteristic of the ecclesiastical art under Turkish rule.

Total route length: 73 km.

Lefkosia – Religious Gems 2

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The second route in Lefkosia (Nicosia) is in the greater area of the district and starts from Peristerona and the church of Agion Varnava and Ilariona. This church’s main characteristic is its five domes, and as far as frescoes and icons are concerned, only some of the 12th and 15th centuries have been salvaged. A bit further to the south lies the church of Αgia Varvara, which dates back to the 16th century, in the years of Venetian rule.

The next stop is at the church of Panagia tis Asinou in Nikitari, one of the 10 churches included in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The route passes through Galata and the church of Panagia tis Podithou, which is also in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The next visit is again in the village of Galata to the church of Αrchangelos Michael or Theotokos, and then to the church of Αgios Sozomenos, which was proposed to be included in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The route ends in Kakopetria and at Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, a church of the 13th century which is already one of the 10 UNESCO’S World Heritage Sites of Cyprus.

Total route length: 149 km.

Lefkosia – Religious Gems 1

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The local route of the Old City is a tour to the churches of Lefkosia (Nicosia). This stroll can be made on foot since the streets are narrow and very picturesque, making them ideal for walking.

The Cathedral of Agios Ioannis tou Theologou, located next to the Archbishop Palace and opposite the Pancyprian Gymnasium, has a very rich collection of frescoes of the 18th and 19th centuries. The next stop is the Byzantine Museum of the ‘Archbishop Makarios III’ Foundation, located precisely next to the Cathedral. Amongst its wonderful exhibits also lie parts of the mosaic of the church of Kanakaria, which date back to the 6th century AD.

The church of Panagia tis Chrysaliniotissas is the most significant Byzantine church in Lefkosia, whilst the church of Αgios Kassianos – located very near to Panagia Tis Chrysaliniotissas – is a church of the 18th century. The church of Panagia tis Faneromenis was built in 1792, and is unique in its grandeur. The church of Τimios Stavros tou Missirikou dates back to the years of Venetian rule, while it was converted into a mosque under Turkish rule.

The church of Agios Antonios dates back to the 18th century and has a particularly significant wood-carved iconostasis and a carved stone bell tower. The last stop of this route is at the church of Αrchangelos Michael tou Tripioti, renowned for its beauty; in its interior lies an icon of the 15th century which is influenced by Italian painting.

Total route length: 2 km.

Monasticism – The Power of faith (E)

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This route crosses the district of Pafos (Paphos), since there are many monasteries and hermitages such as the Egkleistra (enclosure carved out of the mountain) of Agios Neophytos.

Route: Tala – Panagia – Statos – Κοuklia – Pano Archimandrita.

In the Egkleistra of Agios Neophytos, built next to the hermitage of Agios Neophytos – who was a Cypriot hermit – there are wonderful frescoes of the 12th century, some of which were made by Theodoros Apsevdis, a Constantinopolitan painter.

Near Panagia lies another big monastery of Pafos, Panagia Chrysorogiatissa, with some very well preserved buildings dating back to Turkish rule. In Moni, there is also an Ecclesiastical Museum, which houses treasures of the monastery. Heading south, visitors will come across the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, which is also known as the Holy Monastery or the Monastery of the Holy (‘Ton Iereon’) built in the 10th century. Tradition has it that Agios Nikolaos set off from this Monastery.

In Kouklia, there are two hermitages one of which is also called old ‘Egkleistra’ of Agios Neophytos.

Μonuments: Μonastery / Egkleistra of Agios Neophytos, Τala – Μonastery of Panagia Chrysorogiatissa, Panagia – Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, Statos – “Old Egkleistra” Hermitage, Κouklia and Hermitage of Agion Pateron, Pano Archimandrita.

Total route length: 100 km.

Monasticism – The power of faith (D)

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The area of Lemesos (Limassol) is very significant with regard to the history of the Byzantium and its art, although special reference may be made to its relation to Monasticism. Today, only 12 monasteries have been salvaged in the district of Lemesos, nine of which are inhabited by monks or nuns.

Route: Akrotiri – Omodos – Monagri – Lefkara – Μesa Potamos – Apsiou – Kellaki and Agios Athanasios.

Near Akrotiri lies the oldest monastery of the district, which is dedicated to Agios Nikolaos, although it is more known as ‘Monastiri Ton Gaton’ (Monastery of the Cats). It is estimated that the monastery was established in the 4th century by Agia Eleni. Agia Eleni is also connected to the establishment of many other monasteries, such as the one of Timios Stavros in Omodos, where a piece from the rope that tied Jesus Christ on the cross is kept. The best wood-carved ceilings of Cyprus are found in the Monastery in Omodos. Although deserted, the monastery in Anogyra is old Christian.

Monuments: Monastery of Agios Nikolaos “ton Gaton”, Akrotiri – Monastery of Timios Stavros, Omodos – Monastery of Timios Stavros, Anogyra – Μonastery of Panagia tis Amasgous & Monastery of Archangel Michael, Monagri – Monastery Agios Georgios tou Alamanou, Lefkara – Monastery of Timios Prodromos, Mesa Potamos – Monastery of Panagia tis Amirous, Apsiou – Μonastery of Panagia tis Zoodochou Pigis tou Glossa, Κellaki and Monastery of Panagia tis Sfalaggiotissas, Agios Athanasios. 

Monasticism – The power of faith (C)

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Starting from Lefkosia (Nicosia) and heading towards Kato Deftera, visitors have the opportunity to visit the hermitage of Panagia tis Chrysospiliotissas, and then moving towards the village of Pera Chorio, the church of Agion Apostolon.

Route: Lefkosia – Kato Deftera – Pera Chorio – Dali – Agios Sozomenos.

This route is the shortest – without this meaning that it is of any less significance. In Dali, the church of Agios Dimitrianos has magnificent frescoes of 1317 AD. In Agios Sozomenos, apart from a church built under Turkish rule, there is another of Franco-Byzantine style dedicated to Agios Mamas, which is, however, unfinished.

Monuments: Hermitage of Panagia Chrysospiliotissa, Kato Deftera – Church of Agion Apostolon, Pera Chorio – Church of Agios Georgios & Church of Agios Dimitrianos, Dali – Church of Agios Mamas & Hermitage Cave, Agios Sozomenos.

Total route length: 44 km.

Monasticism – The power of faith (B)

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Starting from Lefkosia (Nicosia), and heading west on the way to Orounta, the route passes from Peristerona for a visit at the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, established under Venetian rule.

Route: Lefkosia – Orounta – Kalopanagiotis – Monastery of Panagia tou Kykkou – Prodromos.

In Kalopanagiotis, visitors can see the Monastery of Agios Ioannis o Lampadistis, which is of incomparable beauty, and although it no longer has monks, is very well preserved.

Monasticism is widely spread in Cyprus and three of the monasteries (Kykkos Monastery, Machairas Monastery and Monastery of Agios Neophytos) are under the jurisdiction of the Patriarch (‘Stavropigiakos’ in Greek). That is, they were established directly by an Emperor of the Byzantine and retain their independence under a special Patriarch document.

Kykkos Monastery is a destination which has a lot to offer like in the case of the other monasteries of this route, whether they are in operation or not.

Monuments: Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, Orounta – Monastery of Agios Ioannis tou Lampadisti, Kalopanagiotis – Kykkos Monastery – Monastery of Trikoukkia, Prodromos – Monastery of Trooditissa, Troodos Square.

Total route length: 153 km.

Monasticism – The power of faith (A)

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Monasticism and, by extension, asceticism are unbreakably related to Orthodoxy, and the fact that Cyprus neighbours Egypt and Palestine – where asceticism grew – resulted in Cyprus also becoming an important place for hermits.

Route: Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Analiontas – Politiko – Lazania – Mosfiloti – Stavrovouni.

Since this route is very long, it is divided into five different routes in order to cover the entire island.

In the years of iconoclasm, monasticism grew in Cyprus, mainly due to the fact that the inhabitants kept their faith, and offered refuge to all prosecuted monks from Constantinople, as well as other parts of the then Byzantine Empire.

The Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, the Monastery of the Priests and many other cities were connected to this era. Later in the 11th and 12th centuries, when the Byzantine Empire received attacks from the Turks – as well as the Crusaders – a number of Monasteries were established in Cyprus, which were very significant and even grew in number under Frankish as well as Venetian rules (Μonastery of Panagia Podithou, etc.).

Monuments: Monastery of Archangelos Michael, Analiontas – Monastery of Agios Irakleidios, Politiko – Monastery of Machairas, Lazania – Agia Thekla, Mosfiloti – Monastery of Timios Stavros, Stavrovouni.

Total route length: 97 km.