cyprus spiritual and cultural journeys

Spiritual

Cultural

CyprusAnd

JourneysCYPRUS TOURISM ORGANISATION

19 Lemesos Avenue, P.O.Box: 24535, 1390 Lefkosia, CyprusTel: +357 22 69 11 00 Fax: +357 22 33 16 44

Email: [email protected]

www.visitcyprus.com

ENG COVERS Divided 2/21/08 7:50 PM

OfAN INTRODUCTION TO A

SPIRITUAL WORLD

Journeys

Faith

yprus, that “ethereal and blessedland” that stands apart, serene andsacred with an irresistible fascination,

is a paradise full of natural beauty, history, mem-ories and culture. A most surprising feature is itsdensity of monuments of religious devotion. It isan island of distinctive aura and charm, where thewhole spectrum of Christianity’s historical andcultural development can be seen, from inceptionto the present day.

It is no coincidence that Cyprus - the island of

CByzantine art in Cyprus West

● Peristerona: Church of Saints Barnabas and Hilarion ● Kalopanagiotis:Monastery of Saint John Lampadistis ● Monastery of the Virgin Mary of Kykkos● Panagia ● Tala ● Emba ● Kato Pafos ● Geroskipou

Byzantine art in Cyprus: East

● Lefkosia ● Pera Chorio: Church of the Blessed Apostles ● Kellia: Church ofSaint Anthony ● Larnaka: Church of Saint Lazarus ● Sotira ● Paralimni ● AgiaNapa

Monuments of UNESCOSolea region

● Nikitari: Church of Panagia tisAsinou (Virgin of Asinou) ● Galata:Church of Panagia tis Podithou(Virgin of Podithou) ● Kakopetria:Church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis(Saint Nicholas of the Roof)

Monachisme and ascetism

● Orounda: Monastery of SaintNicholas ● Kalopanagiotis:Monastery of Saint John Lampadistis ● Monastery of the Virgin Mary ofKykkos ● Prodromos: Virgin Trikoukia● Prodromos: Monastery of the VirginTrooditissa)

Monuments of UNESCOMarathasa region

● Kalopanagiotis: Monastery of AgiosIoannis Lampadistis (St. JohnLampadistis) ● Moutoulas: Church ofthe Virgin Mary ● Pedoulas: Churchof Archangelos Michael (ArchangelMichael)

Monuments of UNESCOPitsilia region

● Lagoudera: Monastery of Panagiastou Araka (the Virgin of Araka) ● Platanistasa: Holy Cross ofAgiasmati ● Pelendri: Church of theHoly Cross ● Palaichori: Church ofthe Transfiguration of the Saviour

Geroskipou

Emba

Tala

Panagia

Kalopanagiotis

PeristeronaMonastery of

Panagia touKykkou

Pera Chorio Kellia

Paralimni

Agia Napa

Sotira

PAFOS

LEMESOSLIMASSOL

LEFKOSIANICOSIA

LEFKOSIANICOSIA

LARNAKA

LARNAKAKykkos Monastery

Agios Nikolaos Stegis church Agios Ioannis Lampadistis Museum Panagia tou Araka Monastery

Produced by: Cyprus Tourism Organisation 11/07 Design: WINGS Text: Loucas A. Panagiotou, Printing: Kailas Press, Photography: Elias Eliades, WINGS, CTO archiveISBN: 978-9963-44-080-1 17

ENG COVERS Divided 2/21/08 7:50 PM

CHRISTIANITY’S HISTORICAL CROSSROAD

(From left to right)

Multi coloured glass, SaintsBarnabas and Hilarion church,Peristerona.

Wall icon, Panagia (Virgin Mary)Chrysaliniotissa church, Lefkosia.

Church service at Metochi touKykkou, Lefkosia.

The bellfry of St Savvas church,Lefkosia.

Byzantine icons.

Panagia (Virgin Mary)Chrysopolitissa church, Pafos.

(Top) Situated on a steep hill,Stavrovouni Monastery offers apanorama of the surroundingcountryside.

1

beauty, where according to Greek myth thegoddess Aphrodite was born - was chosen asthe first place to receive the great message ofthe new faith on the advent of Christianity.Cyprus became the gateway through whichthe message of the Gospels spread through-out the length and breadth of the Ecumene.The first mission of the apostles Paul andBarnabas (the latter of Cypriot descent)occurred here in accordance with the will andwish of God: “..being sent forth by the Holy

Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and fromthence they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 12, 4).

This divine ‘choice’ – at the same time anornament and endowment for the country – isexpressed through the many monuments dedi-cated to prayer and devotion, but also throughthe plethora of holy men connected with thesaintly island, thus endowing it with the expres-sion “Cyprus the island of saints”.

English Inside Pages 2/21/08 7:41 PM Page 1

2

PAFOS

LEMESOS(Limassol)

LEFKOSIA(Nicosia)

K

EmpaTala

Letymbou

PanagiaChrysorrogiatissa

Koili

Theletra

ChoulouGalataria

Praitori

Peristerona

Peristerona

Tamassos

MalountaAgios Iraklidios

Fikardou

A

DalPera Chorio

Machairas

Agios GeorgiosAlamanos

Stav

Agios Ilarionas

Lampousa

Pano Lefkara

Kato Lefkara

Kofinou

Choirokoitia

Kalopanagiotis

Moutoullas

Oikos

Soloi

Morfou

Kaliana

GalataKakopetria

Agros

Pelendri

Louvaras

Arakapas

Vavla

Lagoudera

Platanistasa

Askas

Palaichori

Panagia Forviotissa(Asinou)

Pedoulas

Palaiomylos

PanagiaTrooditissa

Kouka

Monagri

Prastio

Anogyra

Kykkos

Agios Neofytos

Geroskipou

Acheleia

Kourion

Kellaki

Pegeia

Tsada

od bequeathed to the land ofCyprus exceptional natural beautyand impressive scenery. Dramatic

coastlines, deep blue sea, imposing mountains,green forests, wildlife sanctuaries of great beauty and unique ecosystems; and all bathedin sunlight. At the same time, the faith of theinhabitants of the island embroidered andadorned it with countless monuments andplaces expressing religious devotion; sights thatbear witness to a tremendous historical journey.Cyprus has so much to offer the visitor/pilgrimthat a single journey does not suffice!

Sights and places of worship and their religious significance

G

St Paul’s column at Pafos. Archangel Michael’s monastery at Monagri.

Small parish ofAgios Georgios(St George)Alamanosmonastery.

Church of AchangelosMihail (ArchangelMichael), Galata.

Agios Ioannis (StJohn’s) Cathedral,

Lefkosia.

Church of Timiou Stavrou (HolyCross), at Pano Lefkara.

A R E A U N D E R T U R KI

SH

O


3

A

LARNAKA

AMMOCHOSTOS(Famagusta)

KERYNEIA

Agios Sozomenos

Dalirio

Stavrovouni

Agios IoannisChrysostomos

Antifonitis

Apostolos Varnavas

Koutsoventis

Kiti

Kellia

Lysi

Akanthou

Acheritou

Sotira

Agia Napa

Salamina

Trikomo

Livadia

Koma tou Gialou

Leonarisso

Aigialousa

Rizokarpaso

Agios Filon

Panagia Afentrika

Apostolos Andreas

Lythragkomi

Panagia Kanakaria

nou

tia

Paralimni

8200 b.C.1050 b.C.480 b.C.330 a.D.1192 a.D.1489 a.D.1571 a.D.1878 a.D.1960 a.D.

Prehistoric era

Geometric & Archaic period

Classic, Hellenistic & Roman period

Byzantine period

Lusignan period

Venetian period

Ottoman period

British period

Independence-Republic of Cyprus

Historical landmarks

A short distance from theHoly LandSeize the opportunity during your stay inCyprus to also visit the Holy Land. TheIsland is literally almost a stone’s throw,offering the visitor fast and comfortableaccess via a wide choice of short cruises or air connections.

CYPRUS

S Y R I A

T U R K E Y

I R A Q

E G Y P T

S A U D I

A R A B I A

J O R D A N

LE

BA

NO

N

IS

RA

EL

Damascus

Beirut

Tire

Nazareth

Tel Aviv

Jerusalem

Amman

AqabaCairo

Church of Agios Georgios (St George), at Kellaki.

Church of Agios Georgios (St George)of Chortakion.

KI

SH

OC

CU

P A T I O N S I N C E 1 9 7 4


hristianity spread and took rootthroughout the lands of theMediterranean sea very rapidly.

According to the texts of the New Testament,the Cypriots were one of the first to embraceChristianity and preach it beyond the bound-aries of Palestine. Equally, they were the firstto accept the truth of the Gospels outside theHoly Land, when the first apostolic mission

C

...ONE OF THE FIRST LANDS TO EMBRACE THE HOLY GOSPEL...


5

was undertaken in 45 A.D., during which theApostles Paul, Barnabas and Mark – the lattertwo of Cypriot descent – arrived in Salamisand preached the message of the Nazarene,“crossing the island to the edge of Pafos”(Acts, 13.6).

In Pafos they baptised the Roman Pro-Consul Sergius Paulus, the first ranking officialof the Roman Empire to embrace Christianity.

Naturally, of great significance to the Churchof Cyprus is the ratification of its autocephalythrough the 7th canon of the 3rd EcumenicalCouncil in Ephesus in 431 A.D.

This unique heritage is not only unequivo-cally demonstrated by the numerous earlyChristian monuments, but also by the pres-ence of many Bishops of Cyprus in the first aswell as the subsequent Ecumenical Councils.

AHeritagePriceless

COUNTLESS IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONUMENTS,

MARKING THE DAWN OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA

(Top) Morning sun rays entering the Church ofPanagia (St Mary)Hortakiotissa.

(Above left) Internal view ofthe dome of Agia Paraskevi,Geroskipou.(Middle left) St Lazarus church interior, Larnaka.

(Bottom left) Frescoes in thePanagia (St Mary) tou Arakachurch at Lagoudera.


7

yprus, burdened with memories ofits turbulent past and with itsmonuments standing as witness-

es to a great historical journey, forms a signifi-cant centre for the study of Byzantine paintingand art. This is mainly attributed to the impor-tant number of monuments preserved, to theirquality as well as to the degree of preservationof this wealth.

An important group of churches of greatarchaeological, architectural and artistic value,

with superb wall paintings dating from the11th to the 17th centuries are concentrated inthe Troodos mountain range. This concentra-tion in such a small geographical area is per-haps a unique case worldwide. In recognitionof their value, UNESCO has declared ten ofthese churches as monuments belonging tothe World Cultural Heritage, such as thechurches of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis inKakopetria, Panagia of Asinou and Panagia ofArakas in Lagoudera.

C

WITNESSING THE TRAILS OF A GLORIOUS HERITAGE

Creation

FaithThrough

BYZANTINE ART AND CYPRIOTMONUMENTS OF UNESCO

(Main picture) Church ofTimios Stavros (Holy Cross)at Pelendri.

(Top) Church of Panagia(Virgin Mary) of Asinou.(Middle) Church of SaintsBarnabas and Hilarion atPeristerona.(Bottom) Church of Panagia(Virgin Mary) of Arakas atLagoudera.

(Far left) Church ofMetamorfosis tou Sotiros(Tranformation of Christ) atPalaichori.(Middle left) St LazarusChurch, Larnaka.(Near left) Historicalmedieval chapel at Pyrga.


8

he Byzantine Empire andOrthodoxy were the two pivots thatindelibly marked the development

of Cyprus. A plethora of monasteries wasfounded with the contribution and sponsorshipof the devout Emperors of Constantinople: theMonastery of Kykkos, the largest on the island,with its icon of the Virgin Mary whose paintingwas traditionally attributed to Luke theEvangelist, Machairas Monastery and theHermitage of Saint Neofytos, painted by the

hand of Theodoros Apsevdis, are the mostimportant monuments of the island, captivatingand moving the visitor.

In most monasteries, the visitor/worshipperwill enjoy the colours and scents of nature anddiscover new and unique spiritual pleasures.The visitor can share the passions and faith ofthe Cypriot people and experience intense spiritual emotions; and appreciate contempo-rary reality through an acquaintance with tradition.

T

...SPIRITUAL SOLACE, UNDER THE VEIL OF NATURAL SURROUNDINGS...

The

TranquilityQuest For

GUARDIANS OF FAITH, HISTORY AND TRADITION

(K

(MrTM


Multi-cultural CyprusIn other parts of Cyprus the visitor may come acrossbuildings and religious monuments of different faithsand creeds. Muslim mosques, orthodox temples andchurches of other creeds co-exist peacefully, thusdemonstrating the unique and rich history and tradi-tions of this country, one that is expressed vividlythrough the monuments on the island.

The mosque of Um Haram orTekkesi Hala Sultan, an

especially noteworthy andimportant Muslim place of

worship connected with theprophet Mohammed himself,

by Larnaka’s Salt Lake.

(Right) Monasteriesof St Irakleidios and

(Far right) AgiaNapa.

(Right) PanagiaChrysorrogiatissa

and (far right) Agios Neofytos

Monasteries

(Left) The historicKykkos Monastery.

(Below) Panagia touMachaira and (belowright) Panagia TrooditissaMonasteries.

Catholic church of TerraSanta, Larnaka.


10

...EXTENSIVE COLLECTIONS OF BYZANTINE ART...

(Top) A fine specimen of

Byzantine art, dating from the6th century: The

famous mosaic inthe church of

PanagiaAngeloktisti at Kiti.

(Right) Byzantine hagiography is an

occupation formany monks allover the island.

St Irakleidios skull, keptat his monastery.

Religious artefact displayedat a museum.

Silver artefact incorporating actualwood from the Holy

Cross.


yprus is full of archaeological sites ofparticular prestige and charm. The cul-ture and faith of its people is indelibly

marked on each monument and work of art.The archaeologist’s spade has revealed the

foundations of over ninety early Christian basilicas– with three, five and seven aisles, adorned withvivid mosaic floors, marble inlays, reliefs dressedwith marble and marble sculptures.

Equally important examples of this civilisationand of the Byzantine art of the 6th century A.D. arethe mural mosaics, such as those found in thechurch of the Virgin Angeloktistis (‘built by angels’)in Kiti village. The visitor may see the ecclesiastical

treasures of Cyprus through the priceless collections of works of Byzantine art ondisplay in variousByzantine museums andsacristies, such as theByzantine Museum of theArchbishop Makarios IIIFoundation in Lefkosia, theMuseum of Kykkos Monastery,the Byzantine Museum of Pafosand the icon Museum in themonastery of Saint JohnLampadistis.

C

Priceless

TreasuresHeirlooms

THE ISLAND IS FULL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES OF PARTICULAR

PRESTIGE AND CHARM

And

(Left) Virgin Mary andChrist fresco at SaintsBarnabas and Hilarionchurch, Peristerona.

(Right) Priceless ecclesiastical

collecions at theKykko Monastery

Museum.

Hand painted arch at Panagia Iamatiki.

Old icon from Saints Barnabasand Hilarion church, Peristerona.


12

n Cyprus the visitor has the oppor-tunity to attend a plethora of tradi-tional events, celebrations and fairs

that take place in villages and towns the lengthand breadth of the island, throughout the year.Celebrations and fairs that co-exist with thesounds of Byzantine religious melodies and therhythms of traditional music.

Holy Week and Easter, the ‘Good Word’ as itis called here, are all celebrated on the island

I

...LISTENING TO BYZANTINE PSALMS AND MELODIES...

Long

TraditionsStanding

A NEVER ENDING CELEBRATION

(Top) “Kalos Logos,” a nocturnal lateservice on Good Saturday, during

the Holy Week

Baptism at anorthodox

church


with overwhelming solemnity. The celebration ofthe Holy Spirit, or ‘Kataclysmos’ as it is called,held only in Cyprus; that of Epiphany, with theblessing of the waters in the coastal areas inJanuary, or even the various local festivals andfairs organised in the villages in the autumn andsummer months - all bear witness to steadfasttraditions and the strong link between art andreligious worship.

(Top right) Sacred utensils.

(Middle right) Good Friday procession.

(Below right) Candles and olive

oil lights in thesanctuary of

PanagiaHortakiotissa

church.


14

his island, with its clean, warm

sea, endless beaches and star-lit

nights, not only has a historic past

and maintains an unspoiled nature but also

offers luxurious hotel complexes with full facili-

ties, within easy reach to most destinations, so

that visitors can enjoy a most confortable stay;

it is also a gastronomic and wine connoisseur

heaven, able to satisfy all demands with count-

less tavernas, restaurants, bars and cafes.

Above all, however, the visitor will be mes-

merised by the Island’s people and will forever

treasure fond memories of Cypriot hospitality.T

ExperiencedTo Be

A

SAVOUR AND SEE!

Paradise

Traditional breadmaking

Mediterranean specialities

Dining room atMachairasMonastery


..GRAIN, WINE AND OLIVE OIL...

tsy


In the footsteps of Apostles Paul and BarnabasFollow the path of Apostles Paul and Barnabas and it will lead you through agripping maze of history and culture. A history linked with the preaching ofChristianity on the island, which from there opened out to the entire world.

Multi-cultural Cyprus● Larnaka: Church of Saint Lazarus● Dromolaxia: Mosque of Um Haramor Tekke Hala Sultan● Kiti: Church of the Virgin MaryAngeloktistis● Kivisili: Church of the Virgin Mary● Klavdia: Church/mosque of SaintCatherine● Pyrga: Gothic Church of the VirginStazousa● Pyrga: Royal Chapel● Stavrovouni Monastery

Lefkosia. The old town● St John’s Cathedral ● Arch. MakariosIII Byzantine Museum ● Church ofPanagia Chrysaliniotissa ● Church ofAgios Kassianos ● Church of PanagiaFaneromeni ● Church of Holy Cross ofMissirikou ● Church of Agios Antonios● Church of Archangel Michael Tripiotis

Worship of the Holy CrossThe arrival of St Helen in Cyprus is an important moment demonstratingthe respect and devotion shown to the Holy Cross. She anchored offCyprus on her return from the Holy Land, built Stavrovouni Monastery

and endowed it with part of theHoly Cross, the rivets and nailswith which Christ was nailed to thecross and a fragment from thecross of the honourable thief. Apiece of the Holy Rope, with whichthey bound the hands of Jesus asthey led Him to the Cross, wasalso left there.● Stavrovouni Monastery ● Tochni● Lefkara ● Pelendri ● Kouka ●Omodos ● Anogyra ● Tsada

Pegeia

Kourion

Amathous

Egkomi

Salamina

Kiti

PAFOS

Tsada

Anogyra

Omodos

Kouka

Pelendri

Tochni

LefkaraStavrovouniMonastery

PAFOS

LEMESOSLIMASSOL

LEFKOSIANICOSIA

LEMESOSLIMASSOL

LEFKOSIANICOSIA

LARNAKA

LARNAKA

Panagia Angeloktisti, Kiti

Stavrovouni Monastery

Agios Kassianos church

Route planner

16


OfAN INTRODUCTION TO A

SPIRITUAL WORLD

Journeys

Faith

yprus, that “ethereal and blessedland” that stands apart, serene andsacred with an irresistible fascination,

is a paradise full of natural beauty, history, mem-ories and culture. A most surprising feature is itsdensity of monuments of religious devotion. It isan island of distinctive aura and charm, where thewhole spectrum of Christianity’s historical andcultural development can be seen, from inceptionto the present day.

It is no coincidence that Cyprus - the island of

CByzantine art in Cyprus West

● Peristerona: Church of Saints Barnabas and Hilarion ● Kalopanagiotis:Monastery of Saint John Lampadistis ● Monastery of the Virgin Mary of Kykkos● Panagia ● Tala ● Emba ● Kato Pafos ● Geroskipou

Byzantine art in Cyprus: East

● Lefkosia ● Pera Chorio: Church of the Blessed Apostles ● Kellia: Church ofSaint Anthony ● Larnaka: Church of Saint Lazarus ● Sotira ● Paralimni ● AgiaNapa

Monuments of UNESCOSolea region

● Nikitari: Church of Panagia tisAsinou (Virgin of Asinou) ● Galata:Church of Panagia tis Podithou(Virgin of Podithou) ● Kakopetria:Church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis(Saint Nicholas of the Roof)

Monachisme and ascetism

● Orounda: Monastery of SaintNicholas ● Kalopanagiotis:Monastery of Saint John Lampadistis ● Monastery of the Virgin Mary ofKykkos ● Prodromos: Virgin Trikoukia● Prodromos: Monastery of the VirginTrooditissa)

Monuments of UNESCOMarathasa region

● Kalopanagiotis: Monastery of AgiosIoannis Lampadistis (St. JohnLampadistis) ● Moutoulas: Church ofthe Virgin Mary ● Pedoulas: Churchof Archangelos Michael (ArchangelMichael)

Monuments of UNESCOPitsilia region

● Lagoudera: Monastery of Panagiastou Araka (the Virgin of Araka) ● Platanistasa: Holy Cross ofAgiasmati ● Pelendri: Church of theHoly Cross ● Palaichori: Church ofthe Transfiguration of the Saviour

Geroskipou

Emba

Tala

Panagia

Kalopanagiotis

PeristeronaMonastery of

Panagia touKykkou

Pera Chorio Kellia

Paralimni

Agia Napa

Sotira

PAFOS

LEMESOSLIMASSOL

LEFKOSIANICOSIA

LEFKOSIANICOSIA

LARNAKA

LARNAKAKykkos Monastery

Agios Nikolaos Stegis church Agios Ioannis Lampadistis Museum Panagia tou Araka Monastery

Produced by: Cyprus Tourism Organisation 11/07 Design: WINGS Text: Loucas A. Panagiotou, Printing: Kailas Press, Photography: Elias Eliades, WINGS, CTO archiveISBN: 978-9963-44-080-1 17

ENG COVERS Divided 2/21/08 7:50 PM Page 2

Spiritual

Cultural

CyprusAnd

JourneysCYPRUS TOURISM ORGANISATION

19 Lemesos Avenue, P.O.Box: 24535, 1390 Lefkosia, CyprusTel: +357 22 69 11 00 Fax: +357 22 33 16 44

Email: [email protected]

www.visitcyprus.com

ENG COVERS Divided 2/21/08 7:50 PM Page 1

cyprus spiritual and cultural journeys

Documents

hilarion church

church service

church ofthe transfiguration

church of saints barnabas

stavrovouni monastery

church ofsaint anthony

bellfry of st savvas

monastery of panagiastou