Cyprus, Kykkos Monastery: description, reviews, location, and more.

For those tourists who visit Cyprus, the monastery of Kykkos is the main attraction, passing by which it is simply impossible. Today this temple is one of the richest in the republic. The sacred royal and stauropegic monastery of the Kikk Icon of the Mother of God (this is the full name) is the most valuable Orthodox shrine of Cyprus. Here there is a religious canvas, written by the hand of the apostle Luke and preserved to this day.

Cyprus, the monastery Kykkos - the history of the origin

This beautiful island is popular among tourists as a Mediterranean resort, but many people know that it is also the most developed Orthodox diocese. In Cyprus, you can see a lot of different temples, each of them will tell the history of the republic and how the religion developed.

The moment of the foundation most colorfully describes the parable (it can be found at the end of the article). This happened in the XI century, when the reclusive Isaiah persuaded an influential nobleman to somehow influence the king, so that he moved the icon of the Mother of God from Constantinople to Cyprus. Alexis I, who at that time was the ruler, agreed. Yes, and he could not refuse, because it was the will of God. So, here began the construction of the monastery of the Kikk Icon of the Mother of God. Probably, this is the true version of the monastery's origin, because the others do not exist.

They say that the icon has strong miraculous properties. But this did not help save the monastery of Kykkos (Cyprus). From the moment it was built, the temple burned several times. As a result, in its place it was decided to build a stone likeness. Much later, in the XIX century, the monastery was crowned with a bell tower. Previously, this was not done only because during the time of the Ottoman Khanate, the ringing in the Orthodox churches was prohibited.

In the XX century, Father Makarii came to the monastery. He achieved a lot, as he became a representative of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, and at the same time the president of the republic. Father Makarii in the 80 years of the last century founded a historical research center, which helped restore the chronicle of the monastery and collect a valuable library.

General information

To find the temple, you do not need to know Cyprus - the monastery of Kykkos is in all the guides in the list of Orthodox churches of the island. Usually tourists first go to the Troodos mountains (here it is very beautiful and you can breathe the cleanest air), and then head for the temple located to the west of this natural sight. The abode is on the same mountain.

This is a monastery, which has the status of a stauropegic one, that is, it has attained the highest monastic order, if one can say so. Last year 25 monks were obedient here. The temple really deserves a visit, and not only because it is very beautiful. Its history stretches for almost a millennium, and this is one of the main places for Orthodox people.

Information for tourists

For those who go to Cyprus: the monastery of Kykkos works throughout the year, every day. In summer, it opens its doors at 10 am, and closes only at 18:00. In winter, you need to catch up to 16:00.

On the territory of the monastery there is a library, which was written above. There is also a museum and a reception hall. Tourists can see the monks' cells and enjoy the unusual view of the three-nave temple.

The monastery of Kykkos (Cyprus) can not be left without visiting the museum. Here the gaze of tourists is presented to the exposition, which will allow to understand how the monastery was created and developed over time, and to learn about the history of Cypriot Orthodoxy. And in the suburbs of Nicosia is the monastery's courtyard. Anyone can visit it, too.

The icon of the Mother of God is in the walls of the monastery. But look at it will not work. At the end of the XVIII century, it was covered with a salary of silver, which hid the work of Luke. Nevertheless, the icon is still an object of pilgrimage, and it is regularly carried out to the parishioners.

Monastery of Kykkos (Cyprus): reviews

People who visited the temple write that he not only left warm memories - after a visit it becomes easier and more pleasant at heart, as if there is a purification. Tourists are attracted by the monastery itself, landscapes that you can admire, and the opportunity to purchase various church utensils in a shop, including the consecrated icon of the Mother of God.

Monastery Location

The monastery of Kykkos (Cyprus) - where is, and how to get to it? You can find a temple if you follow the west from the Troodos Mountains. Get there either by bus or by car. On the road, there are a lot of pointers that will show the right way and will not let you get lost. The distance from Paphos is 60 km, from Limassol - 70 km, and from Nicosia - 90 km.

Tradition

It all began with Manuel Vutomitis, the vicar of the Byzantine emperor Alexy. Summer was particularly hot, and he was looking for coolness in the mountains, in the village of Marafasa. It so happened that Manuel once lost his way. He hunted and lost direction. Wandering, Vutomitis collided with a monk who had renounced everything worldly. The hermit prayed, and saw no one around him and nothing. Manuel asked the monk's way, but Isaiah ignored Vutomitis. Oh, how the governor was angry! Yes, so that he wanted to punish the homeless on his return home. But did not have time - at night Manuel fell into a state of lethargy.

Then Vutomitis realized that this was his punishment for such an attitude towards Isaiah. And he decided soon to go again to the hermit to beg for forgiveness. But the monk already knew that Manuel would have to fulfill a special mission.

Hearing what the hermit wants him, Vutomitis nearly fell unconscious - to bring to this area an icon of the Mother of God, which is currently in the palace of the emperor! Icon, written by the hand of Luke himself and blessed by the Mother of God. Manuil really wanted to convince the hermit that it was impossible, but he overtook him, saying that he did not need the profit for the sake of God's will.

Isaiah and Vutomitis went to Constantinople together. For a long time the governor went and thought how to talk with the emperor, but the hermit could not stand it and went back to his cell. And at night the daughter of Alexia fell into lethargy. Manuel hurried to the emperor to tell him what to do to get her out of this state. Alex thought and decided: we must write a copy and send it instead of the original. And at night in a dream the Mother of God himself came to him and said that you need to take the real icon to Cyprus, and keep a copy for yourself. On Alexia this phenomenon made such an impression that he, without hesitation, sent a creation written by Luka's hand to the island, and even ordered the building of the monastery. So Cyprus received the monastery of Kykkos (St. Mary), and with it a precious icon.