Saint George’s Cathedral in Kormakitis
100 Years of Life (1905-2005)
Kormakitis, April 23rd 2005 Saint George’s Cathedral in Kormakitis
100 Years of Life (1905-2005)
Edition: Saint George’ s Church Committee Of Kormakitis
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Writing: Father Antonios Fragkiskou Ioannis Karis Elias Zonias George Foradaris
Pictures: - Foradaris’ Foundation - Elias Zonias
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CONTENTS
Prologue ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Salutation from His Beatitude the Archbishop of the Maronites in Cyprus Mr. Petros Gemayiel ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Historical Retrospection of the Maronite Community of Cyprus ..... Error! Bookmark not defined. Kormakitis ...... 11 Saint George’s Cathedral ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapels and monasteries ...... 45
(- 3 -) Prologue
This book is published on the occasion of completing 100 years of life of the Saint
George’s Cathedral in Kormakitis. It must be noted that this is the only book concerning the said church. The book is explaining the way of which Saint George’s church was built, analyses its role in the history of our community and describes its contents.
By entering Kormakitis, every visitor can see the Saint George’s Cathedral. From any point of the village the cathedral, imposing and dominant the area, can be seen.
Upon Saint George’s cathedral church committee the writing of this book was incumbent. With this book, the inhabitants of the village and the visitors will be informed of the cathedral’s construction and its later history.
100 years have passed, since 1905, when the Archbishop Neyemet Allah Selouan laid the foundation stone. During these 100 years the cathedral has created history and tradition, not only in Kormakitis but also, in the rest of the Maronite community and in Cyprus in general.
The Church Committee wishes to thank the Vicar of the Saint George’s cathedral in
Kornakitis, Father Antonios Fragkiskou, who gathered material for the writing of this book, as well as Mr Ioannis Karis for the allotment of the photographs from the records of the dear departed Ioannis Foradaris.
(- 4 -) Special thanks are also owed to the President of the Church Committee, Mr George
Foradaris and to the member of the Church Committee Mr Elias Zonias, who helped writing and publishing this book.
Saint George’s Church Committee
Kormakitis, April 2005
(- 5 -) Salutation from His Beatitude the Archbishop of the
Maronites in Cyprus, Mr. Petros Gemayiel
Dear Maronites of Kormakitis,
You are celebrating this year the hundredth anniversary of
you cathedral of Saint George. With this opportunity,
remember one hundred years of pray and grace that are
involved with this church. You must also remember, through
the picture of Saint George, patron of the church, the struggles and sufferings of your ancestors to keep their faith alive. The one hundred years of history of the church are only a small period of the life and faith in this dear village of Kormakitis.
You must think the hundreds of years that passed and go back to the beginning of
Christianity in Cyprus, when Apostle Paul, travelling from Salamina to Paphos, stopped at Kormakitis. What is certain is that thousands of Maronites prayed and chanted at the Saint George’s church or at the churches that existed before. At this church the Maronites are chanting until today their Masse in Aramaic language, the language of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s the only Maronite church worldwide in which one can listen to the deacon chanting in Syrian before the Gospel the “hush brothers”.
With few words, the history of Saint George’s church in Kormakitis is a summary of the history of the Maronites in Cyprus.
(- 6 -) I think of all of you and I pray for all of you, especially for those old people who stayed at Kormakitis facing, with courage and patience, all the difficulties of the past years. I don’t forget your venerable father S. P. Antonios Terzis, who has almost the same age with this of your church. And I pray in particular for the young people of
Kormakitis to continue, following their ancestors’ steps, the faith and love towards the church.
Finally, I would like to mention that we must pray for the priests who served and are serving this church, as well as for those who worked hard for it. We must also pray for the different church committees that served this church from time to time. May God, through Saint George, give us the joy of seeing Kormakitis soon reliving its previous life with joy, happiness and unity.
+ Petros Gemayiel
Archbishop of the Maronites in Cyprus
(- 7 -) Historical Retrospection of the Maronite Community of Cyprus
Saint Maronas lived in the 4th century as a hermit near the
Taurus Mountain in Syria Secunda, a part of the Byzantine
Empire. Many people were impressed by his gift of healing.
This fact, together with his remarkable and austere life led a lot
of people to follow him. After his death, in 410 A.D., a church
was built in his memory. His students composed the core of the
Maronites and they continued constructing monasteries and churches in his name in
Syria and Lebanon. Maronitism was the Christian movement inspired by Saint
Maronas and its students. The monasteries that his students built were a source of moral uplift for many believers.
The Maronites begun immigrating to Cyprus during the 8th century and they were coming form the ancient areas of Syria, the Holy Land and Lebanon. The immigration was carried out gradually in four periods. According to the historian Palmieri, around the 12th century the Maronite population of Cyprus numbered around 50000 people, inhabiting 60 villages. Proof of this is the fact that many Maronite churches and monasteries can still be found at Pentadaktylos. However, as a result of the persecutions that they suffered, the number was decreased substantially, and in 1960 only 5000 people were living in four villages on the north side of Cyprus: in
Kormakitis, Asomatos, Saint Marina and Karpasia. Historical documents confirm that in 1593 the Maronites were inhabiting 19 villages, among which the four Maronite villages of today.
(- 8 -) There are several monasteries and churches in areas were Maronites were inhabiting: the monastery of prophet Elias in Metohi, the chapel of Virgin Mary in Marki, the chapel of Virgin Mary in Kampyly, the chapel of Saint Romanos in Kefalovryso of
Kythrea, as well as the churches in the four Maronite villages, that is, the church of
the Holy Cross in Karpasia, the Saint George’s church in Kormakitis, the church of
Archangel Michael in Asomatos and the Saint Marina’s church in Saint Marina. All these are only a few examples of the religious inheritance of the Maronites in Cyprus.
Today, the Maronite community numbers around 6000 people, who are following the
Maronite religion. Their religion is based on the eastern dogma of the Catholic
Church and it’s characterized by a complete obedience to the Roman-Catholic
Church.
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The Maronites of Cyprus have always been a vivid, active and solid community, with their own homogeneous villages, their own schools, churches, clubs and other foundations, as well as their own Arabic dialect. Their co-existence with the wider community and the other communities has always been harmonious. This, however, did not prevent them from maintaining, with zeal and enthusiasm, their identity, which comprises of its own distinctive religion, culture, language, manners and customs.
When the Republic of Cyprus became independent in 1960, they had to choose in which one of the two communities – Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot – to belong to. They were given no other choice. So, they chose to belong to the Greek-Cypriot community, with which they had more common bounds as the language, the culture and the religion.
1974 was a milestone for the Maronite community. As a result of the tragic events, the biggest part of the Community became refugees. Today, 98% of the Maronites are living in the south part of Cyprus, controlled by the Cypriot Government, scattered in different areas of the island.
(- 10 -) Kormakitis
Kormakitis is situated at the northwest corner of Cyprus. It’s in the center of the villages of Saint Eirini (south), Diorios (southeast), Myrtou (east), Panagra (east),
Orka (north) and Livera (northwest). It’s the biggest village in extent of the district of
Kyrenia. The total area of the village is 3789 donums from which 13600 is governmental land. The village is built up on a hill. At the foot of the hill, the valley of the village is extended. On the distant is the sea. Around the village there are many olive-trees and locust-trees.
Kormakitis is the biggest of the four Maronite villages of Cyprus. The other three are:
Asomatos, Karpasia, Saint Marina. Before 1974, the population of Kormakitis came up to 1800 people. At the community there was a school with 210 students. There was also a kindergarten. Today, 115 people are living in Kormakitis. Most of them are old.
(- 11 -) The school is closed. The last student graduated in June 1999.
Kormakitis is a pure Maronite village. The arrival of the first inhabitants of the village dates back to the 8th century, when the first raids of the Arabs to Syria and Lebanon started.
For the name of the village there are three versions. These are:
First version: The inhabitants came from Kour of Lebanon. When they settled at the village they were longing for the place they came from, Kour, and they were saying
“Nahnigina oua Kour magit”, meaning “we came but Kour didn’t”. So, from the phrase Kourmagiti came the name of Kormakitis. This is the strongest version.
(- 12 -) Second version: It has again to do with the descent of the inhabitants and in particular it has to do with the ancient Phoenician city of Kermia. The first inhabitants who came to the area knew that nearby there was the city of Kermia, as they also descended from the Phoenician Tribe and its native tribe of the Maldaites. They were saying that these people have built Kermiajtite. The word jtite in Aramaic means new.
From Kermia Jtite came the name of the village.
Third version: It comes from the history of the area and particularly from its place- name. Many historians mention that the village took its name from the homonymous cape, which was at the beginning named Kromiou akra. According to the historian
Haket, in 50 A.D., the boat with which the Apostles Burnaby and Marcus were traveling, anchored there, during their second tour in Cyprus. Therefore, the village as it was initially built near the cape, took the name of Kromiakitis and in the course of time became Kormakitis.
At the beginning, Kormakitis was built near the cape at the area of Galala. Because of the raids, the village was transferred inwards into a woody area, near the today’s chapel of Virgin Mary.
The new place of the village was ideal enough for the agriculture and cattle-raising to develop. There, there were many springs and rich vegetation. Furthermore, the area was offering a natural cover from the raids of the Saracens. The number of the village inhabitants in 1570 was about 850 people. However, in 1572 when Cyprus was occupied by the Turks, the number of the inhabitants was decreased dramatically and as a result in 1841 there were only 200 inhabitants. With the arrival of the British in
(- 13 -) Cyprus the living conditions changed and the population of Kormakitis was increasing. In 1881 the inhabitants were 386, in 1901 they became 513 and in 1960 they increased to 1115 people. In 1974 the population of Kormakitis reached the 1800 inhabitants.
After the tragic events of 1974, most of the people of Kormakitis became refugees into their own country, whilst a few stayed hemmed in their own village. The number of the hemmed in was decreasing year by year, and today at the village they live only
115 people, from which the most are old people.
Kormakitis, up to 1974, was help up as a model of a closed society due to its geographical place, but also due to the mentality of its people. As a result, the people are maintaining until today the unique and distinctive language, which is derived from the Aramaic language. This Aramaic dialect, which was the language that Christ was speaking, its spoken worldwide only by the people of Kormakitis.
(- 14 -) Saint George’s Cathedral
The dear departed Vicar General Ioannis Foradaris cited in details the construction of the Saint George’s cathedral in his article “The Cathedral and other churches of
Kormakitis”, published in the newspaper of Phileleftheros on the 24th of April
1991.We are quoting unedited the passage.
“One important development in connection with the churches of Kormakitis village is noted in 1534. Here is what the historian Douayhi is writing in his book “History of
Times” on page 205. “In 1534 nine enemy boats arrived in Cyprus from the west and disembarked at the island 500 soldiers, who attacked against the Maronite village of
Kormakitis, they pillaged its churches, they threw the holy oils and the holy mysteries on the ground and burnt the houses of the villagers.”
In 1534 the inhabitants of the village moved eastern-wise (around ½ mile) and they built their new village where is situated today. They built a new church consecrated to
(- 15 -) Saint George. This church is the small church near the monastery of the Nuns of Saint
Francis’ Order.
For the next 240 years we have no historical writing concerning the churches of the
Kormakitis village. However, in 1776 we have a notable historical report for the
Maronites of Cyprus and Kormakitis. In 1776 Reverend Bartholomew Skantar, sent a report to the Maronite Bishop of Cyprus Elias Gemayel (consecrated Bishop of
Cyprus by the Patriarch Joseph Stephano in 1768) concerning the situation of the
Maronites of Cyprus. This report can be found at the 2nd Report of our Patriarchate
(page 504) at Pkerke of Lebanon. For Kormakitis in particular it’s written: “The
Maronites of the Kormakitis village are 139 together with their priest. The church named Saint George is dilapidated. Its income is comprised of a few fields for sowing only.”
For the next 124 years, again we have no historical writing concerning the church of
Saint George. In 1900 the Archbishop of the Maronites in Cyprus Neemet Allah
Selouan visited Cyprus, accompanied by the Vicar General Ioannis Tsirillis from
Kormakitis. Here is what is mentioned in the report of the Archbishop Selouan for the visit. (This report is at the Archbishop’s Mansion at Kornet Saihouen of Lebanon).
“The Archbishop Selouan bought for £8 sterling a piece of land in Kormakitis village to build a new church that can seat all the inhabitants”.
(- 16 -) Around 1905, the Bishop of the province Ioannis Tsirillis traveled to Europe (France and Belgium) where after raising money he managed to gather a considerable amount of money which he used mainly to found the seat of Bishop in Nicosia and to buy a big land near the Kormakitis village (the farm Ayios). He also gave some money for the construction of the Saint George’s cathedral. Around 1910, accompanied by the
Warden Mr Hajimihail Siimi Kotsiapashi (grandfather of Joseph Mihail Hajiroussos, father of the Representative of Maronites in the House of Representatives Mr Antonis
Hajiroussos), the Bishop of the province Tsirillis visited Lebanon, where, again, after raising money he gathered a considerable amount that was used for the construction of the Saint George’s church. Other Wardens who helped the construction of the
Cathedral, besides Hajimihail, were Antonoudis (Antonis Kalamokolou, father of the mother of the Bishop of the province Ioannis Foradaris), Father Gabriel Nikolaou and
Joseph Kasapis, who was the treasurer of the Church for many years.
Donations – projects for the construction of the Church
For the construction of the new church all the inhabitants of Kormakitis have generously donated, together with the big donators of the Community of Kormakitis the unforgettable Hajihannikos Hajilia and Hajitallou Tziovanni Foradari.
For their high donations to the church of Kormakitis, the Archbishop Francis Ayioup
(1943-1954), issued a decree dated 29 October 1952, which is hung in the Saint
George’s cathedral.
(- 17 -) “Decree of the Archbishop Francis Ayioup, dated 29 October 1952.
After a careful study, it is proved that the
Saint George’s Church of Kormakitis
village has the following responsibilities,
as these appear in the book of spiritual
responsibilities of Our Archdiocese.
With these lines we are ordering our
infant the Warden of the above-
mentioned church to execute these
responsibilities at the designated time,
through the Vicar of the Church and to
pay from the Church’s cashier according
to our existing customs of our vicarage.
Number of Opinion Time of execution
Masses
1 Mass For all the benefactors First Sunday of the year
3 Masses Hajihanniko Hajilia and for his Each year dead relatives
3 Masses Hajitallou Tziovanni Foradari Each year and her dead relatives
(- 18 -) Besides the above no other responsibility or commitment, before or after, is bounding this Church, unless it bears our signature and stamp.
Issued by Our Archdiocese at Kornet Siahouan of Lebanon on the 29th of October
1952.
We also order the hugging of this decree at a prominent place of the Saint George’s
Church.”
The project for the construction of the church was carried out by a Maltese Architect, named Fenek from Nicosia, who was helped by, the also Maltese engineer, Kafiero.
All the stones needed for the construction of the church were carried from the locations of Amberati and Vothino of Kormakitis. For the outside walls, they used stones from Athienou. For the scaffolds they used logs of pine-trees taken from the areas of Petelia and Myrtou, after obtaining a special permit from the Metropolite of
Kyrenia, to whom these woody areas belonged. The logs were carried in a special carriage made by the plough of the village Kyriakos Hajiandrea (grandfather of
Kyriakos Elia Aletrari) known as Tzyrkakos.
The construction of the cathedral lasted 33 years (1900-1933). All the inhabitants generously donated money and building materials (sand, gravel, lime, stones, etc).
Almost all villagers (young and old, women and children) were working during weekends, in turn, without payment, as workers, stone-cutters, water-carriers, builders etc.
(- 19 -) The students, each one holding a bag made of cloth, were going to the sea, at the
Kornos’ beach, to carry sand for the church. Every Sunday, the Mass was beginning after the villagers were carrying enough building materials (stones, sand etc) from the areas of Vothino and Kornos. A custom reflecting the big enthusiasm of the people of
Kormakitis to build their new Church was the procession of the Christ’s resurrection
Cross around the Church. This was done by the person who donated the highest amount of money. This money was depositing at the constructing funds.
Every family of the village, in turn, was offering hospitality to the constructor and the builders of the church, showing the hospitality of our villagers.
On the 23rd of October 1930 something sad happened. The master-builder together with his assistant, while they were working, fell and died. This incident delayed for a while the completion of the project.
The architect Fenek designed the Altar and its manufacture
cost almost £14. The Saint George’s statue on the Altar was
donated by Mr Yioustos Pietroni.
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In 1937, the small bell of the church was manufactured at Payt Siapep of Lebanon and cost around £27. The western bell of the church was donated by Mr George Tranta from Larnaka, who brought it from Italy for the cost of £48. The big chandeliers were donated by the Hajiroussou and Karis’ families.
The consecration of the church
In 1933, the Archbishop of the Maronites in Cyprus Paul Aouet visited Cyprus for the last time. The construction of the church was almost completed, only the west bell- tower was missing. So, the Archbishop Paul consecrated this church on the 20th of
October 1933, in the presence of all the inhabitants of Kormakitis, some other
Maronites, the Maronite clergy, some orthodox from the surrounding villages and some officers from the British Governing. For the consecration of the Saint George’s
Cathedral the newspaper “Neos Kypriakos Fylax” wrote on the 27th of October 1933 the following:
(- 21 -) “The consecration of a Maronite church”
Last Sunday morning, after the Mass – in the Syrian language, understandable of course only to the few priests – took place the consecration ceremony of the Maronite
Saint George’s Church in Kormakitis. The construction of the church begun 20 years ago under the blessing of the Archbishop Mr Poulos Aouat, one vicar and a chanter who came for this reason from Syria. The ceremony honored with his presence his
Excellency the Governor-General, as well as the Governor of Kyrenia Mr Dennis and the Preserver of the Forests Dr Annouin and other British and foreigners. The Mass is similar to the one of the Orthodox.
After the ceremony the officials were led to the school of the Community, where the villagers gave a reception for the Governor, whom Mr Prens addressed by a manuscript, thanking him for the honor of presenting at the consecration ceremony and expressing the Maronite people’s sadness for his transfer. His Excellency thanked the Maronite Community for the honorable invitation and congratulated them for the completion of the construction of the Cathedral. For his transfer from Cyprus, he said that it was not his will, but decision of the Central Government and that he recognizes the friendly feelings of the Maronites towards the Government. The Archbishop says a few words and the reception closes with the British anthem, chanted by the students of Kormakitis.”
(- 22 -) In 1941, after the initiative of Bishop of the province Ioannis Foradaris, the second bell-tower and the chanting place were constructed and the terrace outside the church was extended. The Saint George’s cathedral is so strongly built that during all these years almost nothing was repaired.
The most important sacred relics are:
(a) A sacred chalice, a gift by Magdalini
Ptaipe from Kampyly. This chalice bears the
graven date of 1878 and can be found today
in the Archdiocese’s museum at Akropolis in Nicosia.
(b) A sacred crown of the dear departed Bishop of the province Ioannis Tsirillis
from Kormakitis.
(c) Two huge bronze candelabra (they weight 150 kilos each)
gift from the unforgettable benefactor of the Kormakitis’ church
Hajitallou Tziovani Foradari (sister of Hajiroussos and Koumis
Foradaris). Her name is graved
on every candelabrum.
(d) Many religious paintings of Saints and Virgin Mary.
(- 23 -) The historical role of the Saint George’s cathedral
With the arrival of the new Vicar General, Bishop of the province Ioannis Foradaris in
1939, the Saint George’s church was nominated as the official cathedral of the
Maronite Community in Cyprus.
On April 23rd of each year, the day of the great martyr Saint George, the Bishop of the province Ioannis Foradaris was inviting Governors, Representatives, Ministers, and
Presidents of the Republic to visit Kormakitis and hear the Mass at the cathedral.
Eminent persons who heard the Mass at the Saint George’s cathedral were the
Governor of Cyprus Sir John Harting and Sir Hew Foot, as well as the dear departed
Ethnarch Makarios, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus. For the first time, historical pictures from the visits of the Governors and the Presidents at Kormakitis and at the Saint George’s cathedral are published.
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(- 26 -) Clergymen who served the Saint George’s Cathedral
Archbishops:
1. Neyemet Allah Selouan (1892 – 1905)
He laid the foundation stone and started the construction of the Church
2. Petros Zoypi (1906 – 1910)
3. Paul Aouat (1911 – 1940) – he consecrated the Church
4. Francis Ayioup (1943 – 1954)
5. Elias Farah (1954 – 1986)
6. Joseph Pisiara (1986 – 1987)
7. Petros Gemayel (1988 – today)
Bishops of the province - Vicar Generals
1. Ioannis Tsirillis, Bishop of the province (1888 – 1925)
2. Joseph Triantafyllides, Vicar General (1925 – 1939)
3. Ioannis Foradaris, Bishop of the province and Vicar General (1939 – 1989)
4. Ioannis Orfanou, Bishop of the province and Vicar General (1989 – today)
(- 27 -) Priests who were officially appointed and served the Saint George’s Cathedral in
Kormakitis
1. Father Kyprianos Hannitsis, from Kormakitis
2. Father Gabriel Nikolaou (Gibrael), from Kormakitis
3. Father Antonios Terzis, from Kormakitis
4. Father Ioannis Pavlou, from Asomatos
5. Father Andreas Katsioloudis, from Kormakitis
6. Father Antonios Fragkiskou, from Kormakitis
Priests who served the Cathedral
1. Father Antonios Zammar: from Asomatos, married. He worked at
Kormakitis for a long time. He became Vicar General from 1829 – 1850.
2. Father Ioannis Zammar: appears at the Kormakitis’ church records in 1820.
3. Father Bernard: appears in 1827.
4. Father Mihail: appears in 1829. He was married.
5. Father Joseph Zammar: appears in 1830. He was married.
6. Father Mihalis Kyrillis: appears in 1850.
7. Father Petros Zammar: worked at Kormakitis in 1859.
(- 28 -) 8. Father Joseph Stephanou: worked at Kormakitis in 1865. He was married.
He was the grandfather of Joseph Katsipierou (yero-Arapi).
9. Father Antonios the Cypriot: appears in 1866.
10. Father (Monk) Neemet Allah Sahili. He was monk at the Halepianoi
Maronites Order. He was appointed as Councilor of the Archbishop Joseph
Ziazia and the Archbishop Joseph Zoypi. He had the position of the Vicar
General from 1850 – 1887.
11. The Bishop of the province Ioannis Tsirillis: he was from Kormakitis. He
studied in Rome. He was imposing, pious and eloquent. He was Vicar
General from 1888 – 1925.
12. Father Lavrentios: appears in 1890.
13. Father Niamdalla Zpara.
14. Father Fellas: he was married and he had children and grandchildren.
15. Father Joseph Triantafyllides: he was from Karpasia. He studied in Paris. He
spoke fluently many languages. For four years he was member of the House
of Representatives. He held the position of the Vicar General of the
Maronites in Cyprus from 1925 – 1939.
16. Father Gabriel Nikolaou: from Kormakitis. He was born in 1868. He was
member of the Kalakoutis family, who descended from the large village of
Zodia (Morfou). The name of the ancestors of the family was
Kotsinonikolas. His parents sent him to Lebanon to become a monk. After
he was ordained priest, he left the monastery and became a simple priest
serving our community. He started working at Kormakitis in 1896. He died
in March 1961 at the age of 93.
(- 29 -) 17. Father Ignatios Kalakoutis: from Kormakitis. He was born in 1904. His
parents were Mihail and Lenou Kalakouti. When he was baptized he was
given the name Elias. In 1923 he was sent to Lebanon, at the Saint Maronas’
monastery, to become a monk. His body was magnetized by the
underground water, and so he found water in many monasteries. After he
was ordained priest, he returned to Cyprus and he was placed as the Father
Superior of the Maronite monastery of Prophet Elias. He worked as vicar in
Saint Marina and in Karpasia. He died on the 27th of April 1988 at the age
of 84. He was buried at the Maronites’ cemetery in Anthoupoli.
18. Father Antonios Yiannoudis: appears at Kormakitis in 1900. He was
working without resting at the church’s garden, near the Cathedral.
19. Father Paul Antonis Malahia: monk from Kormakitis.
20. Father Petros Koumi: monk from Kormakitis.
21. Father Ioannis Antoniou: he descended from Saint Marina Skyllouras.
22. Father Antonios Skantar: from Asomatos.
23. Father Hannas Skantar: nickname Mouzomenos. From Saint Marina
Skyllouras.
(- 30 -) 24. Father Ioannis Foradari: from Kormakitis. He was born on the 14th of
November 1909. He studied in Lebanon and at the Gregorian university of
Rome, from where he graduated with distinction. He was ordained priest in
1933. Then, he was appointed as representative of the Patriarch for 2 ½
years and then Professor of the Right of Cannons at the Seminary of the
Maronite Archdiocese in Cyprus. He was Vicar General and Bishop of the
province of the Maronites in Cyprus from 1938 – 1990. In 1960 he built in
Nicosia the modern building with the beautiful church of Virgin Mary of
Hariton at Paphos Gate. He died on the 4th of May 2000 and buried at
Kormakitis’ cemetery.
25. Father Ioannis Pavlou: appears in 1947. He was from Asomatos. He loved
hunting.
26. Father Michel Nakouzi: Monk from Lebanon. He was a teacher of the
Arabic language for two years 1965 – 1967.
27. Father Jean Haz: Monk from Lebanon. He was a teacher of the Arabic
language for one year 1967 – 1968.
28. Father Joseph Sialfoun: Monk from Lebanon. He was a teacher of the
Arabic language for two years 1968 – 1970.
(- 31 -) 29. Father Paul Fratzi Koumi: He was born in Kormakitis in 1938. He was sent
to Lebanon to study at the Seminary of Kaslik. He was ordained priest in
1971. He stayed in different monasteries of the Saint Anthony’s Order of
Lebanon. He learned the Syrian and the Lebanese languages fluently and he
knew Lebanon throughout.
In July 1974 the priest-monk Paul Frantzis Koumi was staying in the
Maronite monastery of the Prophet Elias, which was bombarded. He
abandoned it and traveled to Lebanon. When he returned to Cyprus he took
the responsibility of servicing the churches of Asomatos and Karpasia. He,
also, services the church of Kormakitis, when at village (1990 – today).
30. Father Kyprianos Hannitsis: from Kormakitis. He was born on the 4th of
November 1889. He studied philosophy and theology at the monastery of
Saint Anthony Kishayia on the north side of Lebanon and afterwards at the
monastery of the Yousta village. He was the vicar of Kormakitis for 50
years. He died on the 25th of October 1970 and he was buried at the
Kormakitis’ cemetery.
(- 32 -) 31. Father Antonios Terzis: from Kormakitis. He was born in 1907 and studied
at the Seminary of “SAINT JOSEPH” in Korne Tsehouan of Lebanon (1923
– 1931). He was ordained priest by the Archbishop Paul Aourat on the 14th
of June 1931 at the age of 24. He worked in Larnaka and Ammohostos for
six months, in Asomatos for nine years and in Kormakitis for 60 years,
having a total priestly service of 71 years. At Kormakitis he worked with
father Kyprianos Hannitsis, father Gabriel Nikolaou, father Andreas
Katsioloudis and father Antonios Fragkiskou.
32. Father Andreas Katsioloudis: from Kormakitis. He studied at the Seminary
of Kaslik in Lebanon. After he was ordained priest, he returned to Cyprus
and he was appointed assistant of father Antonios Terzis. With the events of
1974, he ended up in Limassol, where he worked as a French teacher at
several secondary schools and at the same time he was servicing the
Maronite parish of Polemidia. Father Antonios Katsioloudis worked a lot
for the construction of the Saint Charpel’s church in Limassol.
33. Father Antonios Fragkiskou: from Kormakitis. He was born on the 1st of
November 1935 and he studied at the Saint Joseph’s University of Beirut
and at the Teacher’s Training College in Cyprus. He worked as a teacher
and he was retired when he was principal.
(- 33 -) On the 14th of December 1997, the Most Reverend Archbishop of the
Maronites in Cyprus Mr Petros Gemayiel, ordained him Deacon and on the
17th of May 1998, at the age of 63, priest. He is married and has children
and grandchildren. On the 8th of February 2001, the Most Reverend Petros
Gemayiel, appointed him officially as the Priest in charge at the parish of
Saint George of Kormakitis, replacing the older Vicar Father Antonios
Terzis.
34. Bishop of the province Ioannis Orphanou: The Vicar General of the
Maronites of Cyprus, Bishop of the province Ioannis Orphanou was born in
Asomatos of Kerynia district, on the 10th of July 1938. He studied at the
Latin Seminary of Athens and then he studied philosophy and theology at
the French University of Beirut, at the Institute of Oriental Studies and at
the Gregorian University of Rome. He was ordained priest on the 7th of June
1964. In 1984, he was appointed President of the Caritas’ Community of
Cyprus by the Archbishop of the Maronites in Cyprus Elias Farah. In 1987
he was appointed Vicar of the new Parish of Saint Maronas in Anthoupoli.
On the 18th of June 1989 the Patriarch of the Maronites, Mr Nasrallah Sfeyr,
during his historic visit in Cyprus, nominated him Bishop of the province.
His consecration as the Bishop of province took place on the 3rd of
September 1989 by the Archbishop of the Maronites in Cyprus Mr Petros
Gemayiel. On the 1st of January 1991, the Archbishop of the Maronites in
Cyprus Mr Petros Gemayiel, nominated him Vicar General of the Maronite
Archdiocese of Cyprus and Vicar of the Cathedral. Position which he still
holds until today.
(- 34 -) Deacons
Elias Antoniou Tereza studied at the Seminary of Lebanon and spoke fluently the
Arabic and Syrian-Aramaic languages. He was chanting at the Cathedral and wearing a stole like a deacon. He was gathering the Maronite children at his house, where he was teaching them the Maronite chanting of the Vesper and the Mass.
Elias Ant. Yiorki – Diakos studied at the Seminary of Lebanon and ordained Deacon.
He did not finish his studied and therefore he was not ordained priest. He returned to
Cyprus and got married. He was helping the priests of the church chanting and reading. He spoke fluently Arabic and Syrian-Aramaic.
Great Benefactors of the Cathedral
1. Hajitallou Tziovanni Foradari: she donated 2 big candlesticks (candelabra)
and all her immovable property. Benefit: the Church dedicates to her three
Masses every year forever.
2. Hajihannikos: he donated all his immovable property. Benefit: the Church
dedicates to him three Masses every year forever.
3. Antonios Ioannou Malahia: he donated a big plastic statue of The Saint
Anthony of Padoui.
4. Koumis Mihail Poyiatzis: he donated the crib, where Christ was born,
plastic models of Joseph, Virgin Mary, the Holy Infant, the Magi, the
shepherds and all the animals.
(- 35 -) 5. Mari Sarrydi: she donated the statue of the Sacred Heard of Christ and of
the Saint Theresia of the Infant Christ.
6. Yioustos Pietronis: he donated the statue of Saint George, which is placed
on the Altar.
7. Joseph Antoniou Kasapis: he donated the railing that separate the main
cathedral form the sanctuary, the baldachin of the epitaph, the statue of
Virgin Mary which is placed on the Virgin Mary’s Podium. He also covered
with marble the floor of the Saint George’s church near the Nuns’
Monastery.
8. Mihail Joseph Kalakouti: besides his pro bono service at the church for
many years (President and Treasurer of the Church Committee), in 2002 he
renovated the Virgin Mary’s chapel in Kormakitis.
9. Vicar General – Bishop of the province Ioannis Foradaris’ Charitable
Institution: renovated in 2003 the Saint George’s chapel at the Kornos’
beach
10. Thomas Elia Hannatzias: He donated a land of 6 donums at the Kypos’
location.
11. Bishop of province Ioannis Foradaris: he donated a land of 18 donums at the
location of the waterfall.
(- 36 -) Sacred relics and paintings at the Saint George’s Cathedral
In the Saint George’s Cathedral there is a respectable number of paintings and sacred relics. Believers of the church have donated many of the paintings to the church.
Some of them are quite old, dated back to the 12th and 13th century. In this book we are presenting the most important paintings and sacred relics.
The Holy Family Virgin Mary holding the Lily
Saint Maronas (- 37 -) Saint Maronas
Prophet Elias Virgin Mary Breastfeeding
Saint George Saint Ioannis Maronas (13-14th century)
(- 38 -)
th th Saint George (18 century) Saint George (18 century)
The Risen Christ The Saint Romanos o Melodos th (13 century)
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The Great Saint Anthony and The Holy Trinity Saint Artemios
Archangel Michael Saint Katherine
(- 40 -)
Saint Ioannis Prophet Elias Prodromos
Saint Joseph with Christ Saint Artemios (- 41 -)
The Saint George’s statue The Crucified Christ
The statue of Saint Joseph with The Saint Anthony of Padoui’s Christ statue
(- 42 -) The statue of the sore Virgin The statue of the Christ’s Mary Sacred Heart
Saint Theresia’s statue Virgin Mary’s statue
(- 43 -) The dead Christ’s statue Archangel Michael’s statue
Silver hanging oil-lamp of 1936 Silver hanging oil-lamp of 1936 Donation of Filou Hajiroussou Donation of Annetta Hajiroussou
(- 44 -) Chapels and monasteries
In Kormakitis’ village, as well as in the surrounding areas, there are many churches and a Nuns’ monastery in the center of the village. Many chapels are in good condition and can be officiated. Unfortunately, the most of them have been destroyed.
A brief description of each one is following:
(a) The Monastery of the Nuns of the Saint Francis’s Order
The monastery is situated at the
center of the village. Saint
George’s church (of nuns) is in
the center of the yard. The
Franciscan Father Samuel Djiuce
laid the foundation stone on the
27th of April 1936. The inhabitants of the village paid for the expenses of
constructing this church.
.
(- 45 -)
(b) Saint George’s Church (Nuns)
The church is situated at the center
of the village, in the yard of the
Nun’s Monastery. It is estimated that
it was constructed during the 16th
century. The roof is arched and the walls are built with stones and mortar. In
the inside walls there are faint marks of religious paintings. There was also a
bell-tower, which unfortunately was destroyed. It has two big, wooden, brown
doors, one on the north side and the other on the west side of the church. On
the one flap of the western door it’s written in Greek the date of 1934 and on
the other the date of 1934 in Arabic
and the Syrian sentence: “targo
trahme ou tahnoto ftahlan moro
prahmono”, which means “Open
Lord the door of your compassion
and your mercy”. The
villagers were having the
Mass in this church until
1936, when the Saint
George’s cathedral
officiated. Since then, the
church is only used for
the Mass and the prayers of the Nuns of the Monastery.
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(c) Virgin Mary’s Chapel
It is situated at the west side of
Kormakitis and it was
constructed in 1453 A.D. In
the old times it had religious
paintings (which were
destroyed). On the east side of the chapel there
was a cemetery. Inside the chapel there are a
glass case with the statue of Virgin Mary holding
the Christ, a small podium for the Mass,
candelabra, benches, pictures of Christ, of Virgin
Mary and of some Saints.
(d) The chapel of Saint George of the seed
It is situated at Kornos’ beach of Kormakitis. The people of Kormakitis turn to this chapel and they pray to the Saint in order to mediate to God for them and give them rains during the dry seasons. Many generation of the people of Kormakitis have celebrated and still celebrating on the 3rd of November the name day of Saint George of the seed. In the chapel there is a small podium for the Mass.
The following-mentioned chapels do not exist today. There are only marks showing that these chapels existed once.
(- 47 -)
(a) The Church of Saint Ioannis Maronas
On the south side of Kormakitis there is a location named “AYIOS”. In the old
days, it used to be a big estate. At that location it was constructed the Saint
Ioannis Maronas’ Monastery for monks. Its church was dedicated to Saint
Ioannis Maronas. The Bishop of the province Ioannis Tsirillis was having the
Mass at that church very often. The monastery had 28 rooms, 2 warehouses, 3
sheep-fords, 1 oven and 2 apiaries. During the decades of 1950 and 1960 the
monastery and the church were completely destroyed.
(b) The mar-Tadro chapel (Saint Theodor)
On the south side of Kormakitis, where the house of Joseph Koumettos Sarrou
(Mouhtarouis) is built, there was a cemetery. There was an orthodox chapel of
Saint Theodor (mar-Tadro). Until today, only the semi-circle shape of the
Altar and the walls of stone of the chapel are saved. Some people placed there
the picture of Saint Marina and they renamed the chapel to Saint Marina’s
chapel. They light candles and they pray to Saint Marina to help their children
sleep.
(c) Saint Kournouta’s chapel
It is situated at the Kouroutas’ location near the village of Kormakitis. There
are still stones showing the existence of the church of Saint Kournoutas. The
Saint is celebrated on the 19th of September.
(- 48 -)
(d) The Prophet Elias’ chapel
It is situated at the area of Patsalies. The name of the area derives from the
church of Prophet Elias, which was built there (Pant-Saint-Lies).
(e) The chapel of Saint Mavri
The villagers also call it Mar-Yapta. It is situated
at Saint Mavri’s location. It is celebrated on the
3rd of May and in the old days there was a one-
day festivity.
(f) The Saint Martha’s chapel
At the area named “O Trimithos” in Kormakitis,
there was a chapel. The old people of Kormakitis
claim that this chapel was dedicated to Saint
Martha.
(g) The chapel of Saint Nikodemos
It is situated at the location named Laotrypes and its ruins exist until today.
(- 49 -)
(h) The chapels of Prophet Elias and Archangel Michael
On the south side of Kormakitis, a
Maronite noblewoman had a big estate,
at which she built together with other
buildings a chapel of stones and mortar,
dedicated to Prophet Elias. From the
name Pait-Elies, the estate took the name of “Petelia”. They also built a second
chapel dedicated to Archangel Michael. The existing stones show the
existence of these two chapels.
(i) The chapel of John the Baptist
At the location “Sierissa (Siaries)” of
Kormakitis, there was a house with a
long basement, steps of stone that led to
the upper floor “attic with a sun-porch
and two rooms”, yard, water well,
cistern and fields with trees. A little
further, there were the ruins of a chapel dedicated to John the Baptist
(celebrated on the 24th of June). The people of Kormakitis named that location
“Naoi”. At the area of the chapel, tombs were found with funeral gifts inside.
(- 50 -)
(- 51 -)