Visitcyprus.Com
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Cyprus Spiritual and Cultural Journeys 1 CHRISTIANITY’S HISTORICAL CROSSROAD yprus, that “ethereal and blessed message of the new faith on the advent of dedicated to prayer and devotion, but also p Situated on a steep hill, land” that stands apart, serene and Christianity. Cyprus became the gateway through the plethora of holy men connected Stavrovouni Monastery offers a panorama of the sacred with an irresistible through which the message of the Gospels with the saintly island, thus endowing it with surrounding countryside. Journeys of fascination,is a paradise full of natural beauty, spread throughout the length and breadth of the expression“Cyprus the island of saints”. history, memories and culture. A most sur- the Ecumene. The first mission of the apos- It is no coincidence that Cyprus - the island of prisingC feature is its density of monuments of tles Paul and Barnabas (the latter of Cypriot saints”. Faith religious devotion. It is an island of distinctive descent) occurred here in accordance with the Τhe Office of the pilgrimage tours of the aura and charm, where the whole spectrum will and wish of God: “..being sent forth by the Church of Cyprus ([email protected]. of Christianity’s historical and cultural devel- Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from cy, tel. 35722554600, fax. 35722346254) opens opment can be seen, from inception to the thence they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 12, 4). its doors to welcome the pilgrims and share present day. beauty, where according to Greek This divine ‘choice’ – at the same time an with them the holy gifts of an entire religious AN INTRODUCTION TO A myth the goddess Aphrodite was born - was ornament and endowment for the country – is world. SPIRITUAL WORLD chosen as the first place to receive the great expressed through the many monuments t (From left to right) Multi coloured glass, Saints Barnabas and Hilarion church, Peristerona. Wall icon, Panagia (Virgin Mary) Chrysaliniotissa church, Lefkosia. Church service at Metochi tou Kykkou, Lefkosia. The bellfry of St Savvas church, Lefkosia. Byzantine icons. Panagia (Virgin Mary) Chrysopolitissa church, Pafos. 2 1 Sights and places of worship and their religious significance Panagia Afentrika od bequeathed to the land of Cyprus exceptional natural beauty Agios Filon Apostolos Andreas and impressive scenery. Dramatic coastlines, deep blue sea, imposing mountains, p Church of Archangelos Mihail (Archangel p Church of Agios Georgios (St George) of p Church of Agios Georgios (St George), at Michael), Galata. Chortakion. Kellaki. green forests, wildlife sanctuaries of great Rizokarpaso beautyG and unique ecosystems; and all bathed in sunlight. At the same time, the faith of the Aigialousa inhabitants of the island embroidered and p Agios Ioannis (St John’s) Panagia Kanakaria adorned it with countless monuments and Cathedral. places expressing religious devotion; sights that Leonariso Lythragkomi bear witness to a tremendous historical journey. Cyprus has so much to offer the visitor/pilgrim Кoma tou Gialou that a single journey does not suffice! Keryneia Akanthou Livadia Lambousa Historical landmarks Antifonitis Agios Ilarionas Agios Ioannis Chrysostomos Trikomo Prehistoric era U N D E R E A T U Morfou A R R K 8200 b.C. I S Koutsoventis H O Lefkosia C Geometric & Archaic period C (Nicosia) U 1050 b.C P A Apostolos Varnavas T Salamina I O N Classic, Hellenistic & Roman period Peristerona S Soloi I N 480 b.C Lysi Panagia Forviotissa C E Acheritou Ammochostos Tamassos 1 9 (Famagusta) (Asinou) 7 4 Byzantine period Agios Sozomenos 330 a.D. Oikos Kaliana Agios Iraklidios Paralimni Dali Lusignan period Galata Pera Chorio Sotira Peristerona Kalopanagiotis 1192 a.D. Malounta Kakopetria Agia Napa Panagia tou Kykkou Moutoullas Lagoudera Kelia Venetian period (Kykkos) Platanistasa Fikardou 1489 a.D. Pedoulas Askas Theletra Panagia Agros Chrysorrogiatissa Palaiomylos Palaichori Machairas Ottoman period Larnaka 1571 a.D. Pano Lefkara Stavrovouni Choulou Galataria Panagia Pelendri Pegeia Trooditissa British period Kiti Koili Arakapas Kato Lefkara 1878 a.D. Letympou Vavla Tsada Kofinou Agios Neofytos Praitori Kouka Louvaras Independence - Republic of Cyprus Tala Kellaki 1960 a.D. Empa Monagri Anogyra Pafos Agios Georgios Choirokoitia Geroskipou Alamanos TURKEY Acheleia Prastio Kourion Lemesos SYRIA (Linassol) A short distance from the Beirut Holy Land CYPRUS Damascus Tire IRAQ LEBANON Nazareth Tel Aviv Amman eize the opportunity during your stay in Jerusalem Cyprus to also visit the Holy Land. The ISRAEL t Small parish of Island is literally almost a stone’s throw, Agios Georgios offering the visitor fast and comfortable (St George) Cairo JORDAN Alamanos access via a wide choice of short EGYPT Aqaba SAUDI monastery. cruisesS or air connections. ARABIA p St Paul’s column at Pafos. p Archangel Michael’s monastery at p Church of Timiou Stavrou (Holy Monagri. Cross), at Pano Lefkara. 2 3 A Priceless Heritage COUNTLESS IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONUMENTS, MARKING THE DAWN OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA ...ONE OF THE FIRST LANDS TO EMBRACE THE HOLY GOSPEL... hristianity spread and took root was undertaken in 45 A.D., during which the Naturally, of great significance to the Church p Morning sun rays entering the Church of throughout the lands of the Apostles Paul, Barnabas and Mark – the latter of Cyprus is the ratification of its autocephaly Panagia (St Mary) Mediterranean sea very rapidly. two of Cypriot descent – arrived in Salamis through the 7th canon of the 3rd Ecumenical Hortakiotissa. According to the texts of the New Testament, and preached the message of the Nazarene, Council in Ephesus in 431 A.D. zz Internal view of theC Cypriots were one of the first to embrace “crossing the island to the edge of Pafos” This unique heritage is not only unequivo- the dome of Agia Paraskevi, Geroskipou. Christianity and preach it beyond the bounda- (Acts, 13.6). cally demonstrated by the numerous early z St Lazarus church ries of Palestine. Equally, they were the first In Pafos they baptised the Roman Pro- Christian monuments, but also by the pres- interior, Larnaka. t Frescoes in the to accept the truth of the Gospels outside the Consul Sergius Paulus, the first ranking official ence of many Bishops of Cyprus in the first as Panagia (St Mary) tou Araka Holy Land, when the first apostolic mission of the Roman Empire to embrace Christianity. well as the subsequent Ecumenical Councils. church at Lagoudera. 4 5 u Church of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) at Pelendri. Creation Through Faith BYZANTINE ART AND CYPRIOT MONUMENTS OF UNESCO WITNESSING THE TRAILS OF A GLORIOUS HERITAGE yprus, burdened with memories of value, with superb wall paintings dating ppp Church of Panagia its turbulent past and with its from the 11th to the 17th centuries are (Virgin Mary) of Asinou. pp Church of Saints Barnabas monuments standing as witnesses concentrated in the Troodos mountain and Hilarion at Peristerona. to a great historical journey, forms a range. This concentration in such a small p Church of Panagia (Virgin significant centre for the study of Byzantine geographical area is perhaps a unique case Mary) of Arakas at Lagoudera. paintingC and art. This is mainly attributed worldwide. In recognition of their value, ttt Church of Metamorfosis to the important number of monuments UNESCO has declared ten of these churches tou Sotiros (Tranformation of preserved, to their quality as well as to the as monuments belonging to the World Cul- Christ) at Palaichori. degree of preservation of this wealth. tural Heritage, such as the churches of Agios tt St Lazarus Church, Larnaka. An important group of churches of great Nikolaos tis Stegis in Kakopetria, Panagia of t Historical medieval chapel archaeological, architectural and artistic Asinou and Panagia of Arakas in Lagoudera. at Pyrga. 6 7 u Monastery of St Irakleidios. uu Monastery of Agia Napa. t The historic Kykkos Monastery. yy Monastery of Panagia Trooditissa. The p Monastery of Panagia tou Quest For Machaira. u Monastery of Panagia Tranquility Chrysorrogiatissa. GUARDIANS OF FAITH, uu Monastery of Agios Neofytos. HISTORY AND TRADITION ...SPIRITUAL SOLACE, UNDER THE VEIL OF NATURAL SURROUNDINGS... he Byzantine Empire and Apsevdis, are the most important monu- Multi-cultural Cyprus Orthodoxy were the two pivots ments of the island, captivating and moving In other parts of Cyprus the visitor may come that indelibly marked the develop- the visitor. across buildings and religious monuments of ment of Cyprus. A plethora of monasteries In most monasteries, the visitor/wor- different faiths and creeds. Muslim mosques, was founded with the contribution and shipper will enjoy the colours and scents of orthodox temples and churches of other creeds sponsorshipT of the devout Emperors of nature and discover new and unique spiritual co-exist peacefully, thus Constantinople: the Monastery of Kykkos, pleasures. The visitor can share the pas- demonstrating the unique the largest on the island, with its icon of the sions and faith of the Cypriot people and and rich history and tradi- Virgin Mary whose painting was traditionally experience intense spiritual emotions; and tions of this country, one attributed to Luke the Evangelist, Machai- appreciate contemporary reality through an that is expressed vividly ras Monastery and the Hermitage of Saint acquaintance with tradition. p Catholic church of through the monuments p The mosque of Um Haram or Tekkesi Hala Sultan, an especially noteworthy and important Neofytos, painted by the hand of Theodoros Terra Santa, Larnaka. on the island. Muslim place of worship connected with the prophet Mohammed himself, by Larnaka’s Salt Lake. 8 9 Priceless Heirlooms & Treasures THE ISLAND IS FULL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES OF PARTICULAR PRESTIGE AND CHARM p Hand painted arch at Panagia Iamatiki. yprus is full of archaeological sites of art of the 6th century A.D. are the mural mosa- particular prestige and charm. The cul- ics, such as those found in the church of the Virgin ture and faith of its people is indelibly Angeloktistis (‘built by angels’) in Kiti vil- marked on each monument and lage.