Author: Christos

Lefkosia – Religious Gems 1 Wood carving

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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.

Multi-cultural Christian Cyprus Tolerant to other Religions and Doctrines – Route C Religious Route

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In Lefkosia (Nicosia) – as is the case on the entire island of Cyprus – the coexistence of Orthodox, Catholics, Armenians and Muslims was obvious, and this is proved by the large number of monuments salvaged to this day.

Route: Lefkosia.

Starting from the church of Agios Ioannis tou Theologou, which is full of beautiful frescoes, we move on to the Omeriye Mosque, built under Frankish rule to cover the needs of the Augustinians (Catholic Order). A walk in the old city of Lefkosia gives the opportunity to all those interested to visit a large number of Orthodox churches, as well as more modern churches of the Catholics, the Maronites and, little further away, of the Anglicans. An interesting place to visit is also the small mosque of Bayraktar (standard bearer) which was built at the place where a Turkish standard bearer had placed his flag in 1570, during the siege of the city.

Monuments: Bayraktar Mosque, Cathedral of Agios Ioannis tou Theologou, Omeriye Mosque, Mosque / Church of Timios Stavros Missirikou – Church of the Catholics, Maronites and the Anglicans – Church of Panagia Chrysaliniotissa – Church of Agios Kassianos – Archangel Michael.

Multi-cultural Christian Cyprus Tolerant to Other Religions and Doctrines – Route B Religious Route

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This route is very pleasant and covers half of the island.

The route: Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Pyrga – Monastery of Stavrovouni – Bishopric of Lemesos (Limassol) – Τimi – Pafos (Paphos), Ktima – Chrysochou – Poli Chrysochous – Pelathousa and Lysos.

Starting from Lefkosia, you reach Pyrga to visit the royal Latin chapel with Byzantine frescoes and then move on to Stavrovouni to visit the Monastery of Timios Stavros, where a piece of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified is kept. Thereafter, you pass Lemesos and Kourio to reach Timi, where you will visit a small church that was converted into a mosque under Turkish rule. In Ktima, you once again come across a mosque, which used to be an Orthodox church dedicated to Agia Sofia. During the entire route, you will come across many monuments, which relate to the multi-cultural side of Cyprus.

Monuments: Royal Chapel and Church of Agia Marina, Pyrga – Church / Mosque of Agios Georgios, Bishopric of Lemesos – Mosque / Church of Agia Sofia, Τimi – Church / Mosque of Agia Sofia, Κtima, Pafos- Mosque / Church of Agios Nikolaos, Chrysohou – Mosque / Church of Agios Andronikos, Polis Chrysochous – Mosque / Church of Agia Aikaterini and Church of Panagia Pelathousa Chortainis – Church of Panagia Chryseleousa, Lysos.

Total route length: 82 km.

Multi-cultural Christian Cyprus Tolerant to other Religions and Doctrines – Route A Religious Route

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Having as a starting point the 9th century church of Agios Lazaros, one of the most remarkable examples of Byzantine architecture and where the sarcophagus (Larnax) of Saint Lazarus lies, we head south-east towards Dromolaxia (Artemidos Avenue leading to B4 road) to the Hala Sultan Tekke. According to the legend, Um Haram, who was related the Prophet Mohammed, died when she fell off her mule, during one of the first Arab raids on the island and was buried on the very spot where the mosque was built.

Not far away, in the same direction, is the village of Kiti and its main point of interest the church of Panagia Angeloktisti. According to local tradition, while building the church an army of angels was coming down at night to help build it; hence the name ‘Angeloktisti’ (‘built by Angels’). On the conch of the apse lays the famous mosaic of Panagia tis Aggeloktistis of the 6th c. A.D. This mosaic is considered to be one of the most significant and elaborate wall mosaics of Early Christian art, depicting the Virgin standing, holding baby Jesus in her left arm, with the Archangelos Michael and Gabriel on either side.

In a short distance to the west of Kiti (just of the B4 road) lies the Turkish Cypriot village of Kivisili. At the center of the village is the church of Panagia Eleousa, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Next stop in our visit is the church of St. Catherine in Klavdia, which was converted into a mosque during Ottoman Empire in Cyprus. Our route takes us to the ruined cloister of “Panagia Stazousa”. Today, only the church remains intact with its characteristic gothic ornaments and fragments of frescoes in the interior.

Further to the north towards Pyrga village, we will visit the Royal Chapel. Considered to be one of the most interesting surviving structures from the Frankish Period on the island, the Royal Chapel was built in 1421 by the Lusignan King Janus and its mural decoration includes a series of coats-of-arms of the Medieval Kingdom of Cyprus.

The route ends at the monastery of Stavrovouni which is perched on a synonymous rocky peak. Legend has it that it was founded in the 4th century by St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, who left a relic of the Holy Cross at the monastery.

Monuments: Church of Agios Lazaros in Larnaka (Larnaca), Hala Sultan Tekke at Dromolaxia, Church of Panagia Angeloktisti in Kiti, Church of Panagia in Kisivili, Church / Mosque of Agia Aikaterini in Klavdia, Gothic Church of Panagia Stazousa and Royal Chapel in Pyrga and Monastery of Stavrovouni.

Total route length: 70 km.

The Byzantine Art in Cyprus – Reminiscence of a glorious past (B)

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In order to cover the entire island, the Byzantine Art Route was divided into two parts – the West Route and the East Route – to avoid a single long route, and allow time for people to visit all the monuments.

The East Route passes from: Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Pera Chrorio – Kellia – Sotira – Paralimni – Agia Napa – Larnaka (Larnaca) – Kiti – Kivisili – Monastery of Stavrovouni – Pyrga and Dali.

The route starts from Lefkosia and heads south with its first stop being at Pera Chorio for the Church of Agion Apostolon, where there are frescoes of the 12th century. In Kellia, the church of Agios Antonios houses wonderful frescoes of the 11th and 13th centuries. Another stop is made in Larnaka for the church of Agios Lazaros built in 900 AD and, of course, for all the proposed monuments, which represent Byzantine art in various periods. Some of the monuments are common in both routes.

Monuments: Church of Agios Antonios in Kellia, Church of Agios Mamas in Church of Metamorfosis in Sotira, Church of Panagia and Church of Agia Marina in Paralimni, Monastery of Agia Napa in Agia Napa, Church of Agios Lazaros in Larnaka, Church of Aggeloktisti in Kiti, Church of Panagia in Kivisili, Monastery of Timios Stavros in Stavrovouni and Royal Chapel in Pyrga.

Total route length: 214 km.