History of the Sacred Monastery of Saint Herakleides in Cyprus

It appears that the Monastery was founded during the early Byzantine period (A.D. 330–350) by pious Cypriots in honor of Saint Herakleides (Vasily Barsky), who lived in the first century and was the first Bishop of Tamasos. Apart from the Life of Saint Herakleides, we have no other information from the Byzantine period or from the periods of Frankish and Venetian rule. The Typikon of the Monastery of Machairas, written by Neilos, Bishop of Tamasos, who had previously also served as Abbot of this Monastery, does mention the founding of a women's monastery at Tamasos dedicated to the Panagia (1209); however, there is nowhere any mention of the Monastery of Saint Herakleides.

As it appears, the monastic buildings of the Monastery were completed during the period of Ottoman rule. From repairs carried out on one of the wings of the Monastery, however, it is evident that portions of it date back to the Medieval period. Nevertheless, its foundation could not have taken place during the period of Frankish rule, since there was a law prohibiting the establishment of Orthodox monasteries. It therefore follows that its foundation must have taken place in the much earlier years.

Church of Cyprus Statement on Former Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

Because in recent days many claims have been made public that distort reality and the truth, we wish, for the sake of restoring the truth, to point out the following:

1. Clergy who are under suspension (argia) are not permitted to wear the vestments proper to their rank, nor to commemorate (do the proskomide) at the Holy Prothesis. The suspended former Metropolitan of Paphos, Tychikos, last Sunday wore an epitrachelion and omophorion and commemorated at the Holy Prothesis of the Church of the Holy Apostles Paul and Barnabas with the portion and the holy lance. His lawyer, as a former cleric, should be well aware of what the penalty of suspension entails for a clergyman.

2. When the presiding priest of the church pointed out that such actions are not permitted, the former Metropolitan struck and pushed him at the same time. There is testimony to this effect from the second priest of the church. No one prevents the former Metropolitan from praying or chanting in various churches, especially since he possesses the qualifications of a chanter and has a melodious voice. Indeed, he has recently been doing so, visiting churches celebrating their feasts. However, he is not permitted “to perform the Proskomide” at the Holy Prothesis, something which, for unclear reasons, he did for the first time this past Sunday.

Chapel of Venerable Elizabeth in Agios Amvrosios of Cyprus

In the village of Agios Amvrosios in Limmasol, Cyprus, there is preserved a very old medieval chapel with distinctive frescoes. This chapel is dedicated to the Venerable Elizabeth the Wonderworker and is considered a priceless jewel of the village.

The church has a unique architectural style and is situated in a secluded yet peaceful setting. In addition, the entire structure is protected by the Department of Antiquities.

The Occupied Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Ammochostos Awaits Its Freedom

The Sacred Metropolis of Constantia and Ammochostos has made reference to the history and spiritual and cultural value of the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, which is located in the currently occupied village of Agios Sergios in the district of Ammochostos (also known as Famagusta) in Cyprus.

The Sacred Metropolis hopes that we will soon be able to celebrate their memory again and that the bells of freedom will ring in all the currently occupied churches of martyred Cyprus.

The Church of Saint Sergius and Bacchus was probably built in the 13th or 14th century, initially in the form of a compact cruciform with a dome and without a narthex. Later, a narthex covered with a blind dome was added to the western side. The walls are constructed of limestone sourced from the nearby ruins of Salamis-Constantia.

Eldress Mariam, a Contemporary Job

By Bishop Nikolaos of Amathountos

As is known, on August 18, 2004, Sister Mariam, our well-known Miss Maroula, fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 79. She had spent the last five months of her pain and torment in the EOKA Fighters' Camp in Palodia, where she breathed her last, surrendering her purified soul to God the Crown-giver.

Of course, it is a difficult and at the same time dangerous thing to speak of people who, with their martyric patience and unwavering faith in Christ, have become a true dwelling place of God's grace. However, we dare to do this as a spiritual duty and as a sacred memorial to this bright candle, which for many years, while she was literally melting on the bed of pain and suffering, nevertheless illuminated all who knew her or visited her - not only from our city, but also from all over Cyprus and beyond - showing them with her humble example the unerring path of sanctification and grace.

Saint Thyrsos, Bishop of Karpasia, the Anchorite

By Archimandrite Photios Ioakeim

Among the multitude of holy bishops who illuminated the invisible firmament of the Church of Cyprus, is included the select circle of holy shepherds of the Diocese of Karpasia, within which our God-bearing Father Thyrsos, Bishop of Karpasia, the anchorite, undoubtedly holds a prominent place. The other co-enthroned holy bishops of Karpasia are our God-bearing Fathers Philon, Synesios and Sosikrates.

The surviving historical-literary sources for the person and life of Saint Thyrsos are unfortunately meager. For example, he is not included in the so-called Synodikon of Orthodoxy of the Church of Cyprus — as are certainly not included several bishops of the island, known from other sources. The oldest hagiological source for Saint Thyrsos is the so-called Penteorton manuscript of the Karpasite monk Akakios, which he wrote in 1733 and in which he included Services and short synaxaria of five saints of the Diocese of Karpasia, among whom was Saint Thyrsos. The same traditions and similar Services to the manuscript of Akakios are also included in the manuscript of the Metropolis of Kition, written in 1805 by Antonios Teirmentzoglou, a pilgrim, who in this case copies Akakios, but in a free manner.

  

The Cave Chapel of the 318 Holy Fathers in Archimandrita, Cyprus

Located in the southwest of Cyprus is the community of Archimandrita in the district of Paphos, where there is the Cave Chapel of the 318 Holy Fathers, which has been restored by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities and declared an ancient monument.

There are ancient frescos preserved on its internal walls. The small chapel is a cave carved into a rock with relics of saints within a tomb in the cave. The chapel celebrates on the 5th Sunday after Easter, when the Orthodox Church commemorates the 318 Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Synod. There is also a Doxology that takes place every Monday of the Paschal season at the cave area. In the past the chapel functioned as a community church with many worshippers gathering from the neighboring villages.

Open Letter From the Metropolitan of Sidirokastro to Elder Dositheos

Below is an open letter to the Hieromonk Dositheos of the Sacred Monastery of the Holy Protection in Parapotamos that was sent by His Eminence Metropolitan Makarios of Sidirokastro, in whose Metropolis Elder Dositheos resides.

In his letter, His Eminence referred to the attitude of Elder Dositheos towards the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Bishops of the Church, Archbishop George of Cyprus and the former Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos, who recently received disciplinary action by the Holy Synod of Cyprus.

On May 22, 2025, the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus decided to depose the now former Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos from the post of Metropolitan due to his choice of "walling" (Gr. “apoteichisis”) himself from being in communion with other bishops who are canonical members of the Church yet he personally considers heretical. One who does an “apoteichisis” considers himself a guardian of the Orthodox Faith and does it to protect himself from the error of heretics while remaining within the Church and not forming a schism as a means of pressure that he uses to initiate a synod that will condemn the heretics. The majority of the Holy Synod did not agree to justify his position, and therefore deposed him from his role as Metropolitan. The decision further states that he remains a Bishop of the Church of Cyprus and a member of the Holy Synod. He is placed at the disposal of the Church that will utilize him, and he will be given a title and position by the Holy Synod.

There is also the case of a priest of the Metropolis of Paphos, who was allegedly sent to Thessaloniki but instead of commemorating the relevant Metropolitan, he commemorated Metropolitan Tychikos, which is considered a great disgrace within the Church.

Many have condemned this decision of the Holy Synod of Cyprus, taking extreme positions and saying they are persecuting the former Metropolitan Tychikos. Among them is Elder Dositheos, who is popular on YouTube and put out a public video stating his position, among other things, thus prompting his Metropolitan to respond with an open letter that is also public.

Saint Synesios, Patron of Rizokarpaso

Saint Synesios is the patron saint of the town of Rizokarpaso (Dipkarpaz) in Cyprus, to whom the main church of the community, located in the central square of the village, is dedicated. This church is one of the Orthodox churches that have been operating continuously since 1974 in the occupied territories, without being desecrated or converted into a mosque, due to the stay of priest Zacharias Georgiou in the community and the Greek Cypriots trapped there.

The church dates back to the 12th century AD and is characterized as one of the most important ecclesiastical monuments of historical value in the community. It is built next to the cave that Bishop Synesios of Karpasia asceticized within and sanctified. The cave is still remembered in the oral memories of the community's residents as the "Cave of Saint Synesios".

Chapel of Saint Epiphanios in Limnatis of Cyprus

Just 20 minutes from the Cypriot city of Limassol, northeast of Limnatis, the ancient chapel of Saint Epiphanios is preserved, hidden in a ravine.

The chapel, although almost ruined, preserved remarkable frescoes from the 15th and 16th centuries. Due to its historical importance, it was placed under the auspices of the Department of Antiquities and in 1969 the damaged parts of the north and west walls were completed and its arch was also reconstructed.

In the surviving frescoes, one can distinguish the Platytera among Archangels, Hierarchs, Saint Stephen, the Apostle Paul, Saint Paraskevi and Saint George. On the hill above the chapel, a beautiful picnic area has been created, offering panoramic views of the area, giving additional reasons for a visit. 

The Church of Saint Antipas in the Turkish-Occupied Village of Pyroi in Cyprus

The Church of Saint Antipas is located to the west of the Turkish-occupied village of Pyroi in Cyprus and its precincts were used as a cemetery. The church is a four-column, cruciform church with a dome and dates back to the Middle Byzantine period (8th-12th century). It is estimated that it was built in the era before the Turkish occupation of Cyprus (1571) and could perhaps be the oldest church in Cyprus. The church was renovated in 1942, according to an inscription. Today, the Church of Saint Antipas in the occupied village of Pyroi is in a poor condition due to the village being largely uninhabited, as it lies within the military area and can only be visited with permission of the Turkish military. It needs immediate maintenance and restoration.

The Apostle Andrew Appeared to the Wife of a Priest in Cyprus

Father Gerasimos Fokas of Kefallonia told the following story about a priest and his wife from Cyprus:

Cyprus greatly venerates the Apostle Andrew. There is no house that does not have an Andrew or Androula. And exactly where the tip of Cyprus is, at the cape, it is written on the map as the Cape of the Apostle Andrew, and this is exactly there Saint Helen built, while traveling to Constantinople from Jerusalem, the Monastery of the Apostle Andrew.

In 1974, with the unfortunate occupation by the Turks, several thousand people were left trapped in the Karpasia region, where the Monastery is located. With the suffering, with the intimidation, the people left. 800 people remained in Karpasia, Christian people and teachers and priests also remained. Four priests remained with them. Unfortunately, the Turks continued their plan: they burned, imprisoned, intimidated, so the people were constantly leaving.

Saint Thyrsos of Karpasia - Life, Miracles and the Story of His First Icon

By Dr. George Kakkouras

Information about Saint Thyrsos, unfortunately, is scarce.1 These mainly come from the well-known manuscript of Monk Akakios of Karpasia and the Service of the Saint, which is the work of the same Akakios.

Akakios says the following about this lack of information: "Like Saint Philon, the Bishop of Karpasia, where he performed so many miracles, and they are not seen recorded, and like Saint Synesios, who was also a hierarch of Karpasia, whose life cannot be found in any book, or printed, or handwritten manuscript to be seen, and we only have it by word of mouth."2 Likewise little information is provided by the living local tradition concerning Saint Thyrsos.

Saint Thyrsos in the local dialect is also called Therissos. When he lived is unknown, though he is remembered as the third Bishop of Karpasia after the other two well-known and famous bishops of Karpasia, Philon and Synesios.

Eldress Mariam the Paralytic (+ 2004) - 2 of 2

...continued from part one.

A. A Light For Our Own Trials

When you commemorate a righteous person, the people leap with inner joy and hope. They find in them support in their personal struggle and under the shadow of their trials they rest, breathe, bloom and move forward. A heroine of pain is "Sister Mariam", the well-known "Theia Maroula" from Limassol.

What I will record comes from personal experiences and conversations with her. These are the things that have been running through my mind since the day of her funeral. I thought it good to put them on paper because they are very useful to me and I don't want to forget them.

In the ten years of my acquaintance with the "symbol" of patience, Theia Maroula, I learned so much, that I could write a whole book. Here I will describe only a few things that were strongly impressed on my memory.

She was lying on the bed of pain for 30 whole years. Her body was a martyrdom. There was no part of her body and soul that was not martyric.

She said to us:

"I can understand every pain, because I hurt with every pain."

Her heart became sensitive like a little child.

"You are all my children," she said. "I was not blessed by God with children in order to be able to feel you all as my children. Once we tried to adopt a child and that child couldn't bear to see me in bed and abandoned us. It's okay though, I get it. My situation is difficult. Many times I even told my husband, Christakis, to divorce me and remarry, rebuild his life. He, however, told me: 'I loved one Maroula and there will never be another.'" (cries)

What a sacrifice indeed for both of them. Love finally transcends the whole world and these two had "love". They were a model couple. Whenever I went to her house I realized how poor I was in love.

God tests great souls like gold in the furnace. Theia Maroula was a great soul.

The Panagia herself told a girl about Maroula's ancestral home.

"My people live in this house." Here's how the incident goes:

B. The Friends of the Panagia

A girl, whose father died and then her mother remarried, found herself in a very difficult position. Her stepfather wanted to lure her into prostitution. In order to escape, she desperately fled to the Church of Panagia the Katholiki (Limassol). The church was closed and she was crying outside. Suddenly a woman touches her sweetly on the back.

"Don't be afraid, I have people of mine nearby who will help you." She takes her by the hand and leads her to Theia Maroula's welcoming home. When she got there, the strange black-clad, sweet woman disappears. Then she realized it was the Panagia. This girl was accommodated for some time until the difficulty was overcome.

With such a family, Maroula learned to love people and sympathize with them. Wherever she heard that an old or sick woman wanted help, she ran with great joy.

The age of marriage had come. She married her "Christakis". She did not get to enjoy her marriage when Christakis was suddenly in the hospital in danger of dying.

Maroula prayed. She asked for a miracle. On her love she is unprovoked. She knelt.

"O God, I don't want my Christakis to die. Better give me as many diseases as you want but let him live." The all-wise God who heard her prayer, healed Christakis.

Unknown for what reason, the Lord knows, shortly after this her own 30-year Golgotha begins. She gets sick and has her first operation. It fails. She becomes bedridden. Another thirteen operations followed. Breast cancer, stomach problems, liver problems, herpes, eye problems...etc.

She doesn't get intimidated, she doesn't blame God. Christakis stands beside her as a true hero of love, who gives without asking for anything in return.

We went to their house, it was full of people. Christakis treated and welcomed everyone with a smile. He himself cooked, shopped, washed, ironed, cleaned and generally served his great love Maroula. Theia Maroula was upset to the point that one day she told her Christakis:

"Why don't you put me in an institution and rebuild your life? I don't want to make you unhappy."

"What are you saying, my Maro! I can't live without you. And please God let me go first, because if I lose you I will not bear it but I will die over your grave."

C. The Death of Her Husband

However, the trials continued and Theia Maroula is now about to taste the death of her partner, protector and only relative. After nineteen years of marriage, God calls "her Christakis" to Him to reward him for his efforts and to subject the long-suffering Maroula to the last and most difficult test. He wanted to make her His bride. Her crown was to be completed by also gaining the crown of venerability. She received the crown of martyrdom while lying down. As a nun, she now emerges as a Venerable Martyr.

D. The Day of Death

"My Christakis was away from home and was late to return. I'm waiting, waiting... I was worried...

They brought him to me in the coffin. My heart stopped beating. Sudden death is an unbearable ordeal. And now I have no one in the world. No father, mother, husband, family. I'm utterly alone. I have only God. It's hard guys. Watch out for your companions. There is no one like your partner." (cries)

E. The Great Temptation

Sister Mariam:

"When I realized that I lost my partner I lost it for a moment. My bedside table had a bottle of pills. The wicked one says in my ear: 'Drink them and get it over with. Life has no meaning for you anymore.'

I almost got carried away and killed myself. I gathered my strength. From Hades where I was I shouted with all the strength of my soul. 'God save me!' I started to gather courage. With difficulty I left this word inside me: 'No, I must not deny my God. I will not despair. God will provide.' At that time the door to the room opened. A large cross taller than the door bends and enters the room. He is on it. The Lord Himself. He stood in front of me over my bed. His face bright as the sun. His appearance is peaceful. He looks at me with His merciful gaze and says three words to me:

'Faith, Patience, Hope.'

He disappeared. It leaves an indescribable fragrance in the room and peace in the soul. I was comforted. I took courage. God heard me. Golgotha continues for another eleven years.

They brought helpers to take care of me from abroad. They were good people. But they were not the right ones.

An assistant from Serbia had beaten me early in the morning.

'I can't stand you,' she tells me and her eyes were on fire. 'I will choke you!'

I was shouting and the neighbors saved me. She left, another came. I was thinking:

Where are you my Christaki? God help me to endure. Many diseases. Little understanding."

F. An Angel Lifts Her Up

"Once I had slipped and fell to the floor. The assistant could not lift me. I started freezing on the ground. I cried. 'God, you have so many angels. You see me here and no one can help me. Lord, send me an angel...' I didn't get to finish my conversation and I feel two hands grab me, pick me up, put me on the bed and cover me. I look, I see no one. With tears I thanked the Lord for giving me trials on the one hand and divine consolations on the other."

G. Miracle of Elder Paisios

"I had breast cancer, I was getting ready for surgery the next day. I was in a lot of pain. They had brought me a stone from the grave of Elder Paisios. I took it in my hands. I prayed: 'Elder, look at my pains. I have pain in my back, abdomen, legs and now my chest. Please help me.' I made the sign of the cross with the stone over my breast cancer. I calmed down a bit and I fell asleep. I see Elder Paisios saying to me: 'I have come to take what you have.'

I woke up. I felt the spot and there was nothing. The cancer was gone. The doctor discovered the miracle the next day.

H. She Becomes a Nun

Her life was likened by many to that of recluse ascetics. The fullness of time had come for Theia Maroula to wear the angelic schema. Her name now is “Sister Mariam”. Her face becomes even more sacred, more pained, more peaceful, more calm. People in pain see her and forget the pain. She has from God the gift of the Apostle Barnabas, i.e. of consolation.

I. The End

I saw her a month before her repose. For the first time she is so tired and emaciated.

"How are you doing?" I ask her.

"My end is near. Bring your children so I can see them and say goodbye to them, as well as your wife. I'm not going to live long. I asked God for two things: give me light and reason until the end."

God heard her and until the last moment she had clarity of spirit in a body broken by diseases.

Her journey ended on August 18th 2004. Wednesday. The earth is poorer than ever. However, heaven became rich and we also acquired an intercessor in heaven before the Master.

Let us have her blessing.

Source: Martyrs in the Great Struggle, D.H., Holy Church of Saints Apostles Peter and Paul in Avgoros, Catechetical Publications of Avgoros 2004. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.

 

Evagoras Pallikarides: The Last Hours of the Cypriot Revolutionary Hero

The story of Evagoras Pallikarides is related to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth of England in June 1953. In Cyprus, at that time, as in many other colonies under British rule, they had taken care to decorate all the cities for the great event.

15-year-old Evagoras Pallikarides was a student at the Paphos High School and disagreed when he saw that British flags were brought into his school. It was the time when the demand for the Union of Cyprus with Greece ("Enosis") stirred up the majority of Greek Cypriots.

The students refused to enter the High School, demanded that the flags be lowered, while Pallikarides headed towards the 28th of October Square. He climbed the mast and lowered the British flag to the applause of the crowd.

The Irony of the Only Greek Orthodox Church Dedicated to Saint John Cassian Being in Nicosia

It is ironic that the only Greek Orthodox Church dedicated to Saint John Cassian is located in Nicosia of Cyprus. According to a folk tradition among Greeks, which stems from the fact that Saint John Cassian is only celebrated every four years because his feast falls on February 29th, the binary leap year, he is considered the only officially "unfairly treated" Saint of the Church. It is said that this day was imposed on him because in Paradise he was being "mischeivous" and would disperse "fiery demons" from there. The respected Professor of Modern Greek History at the University of Cyprus, Mr. Petros Papapolyvios, informs us that in modern Greek literature, Georgios Vizyinos (1884) and Christos Christovasilis (1903) refer to this specific punishment. Nicosia also, as the capital of Cyprus, is divided into a binary, with half of it being under the Greeks while the other half under the Turks. During the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, the invasion stopped just 30 meters away from the Church of Saint Cassian, which is considered a miracle on his part, and from there the binary division took place.

The Unorthodox Position on Holy Relics by a Cypriot Theologian

 

By Vasilios Haralambous, theologian

In an article published on the SigmaLive website dated 2/2/2024, titled "Theological Battle for the Holy Zoni: The Child Resurrected - Divine Grace is Not Stored," we note, among other things, the following: "A great uproar has been caused in the last few days on the subject of the circulation of relics, bones and icons for veneration."

Unfortunately, these things are mentioned on the occasion of the Holy Zoni of our Panagia arriving in Cyprus. However, there has been no commotion. No disturbance has been caused. There was no turmoil, no confusion. The Cypriot state officially welcomed the Holy Zoni of the Panagia, together with the people of Cyprus. What ruckus are they talking about?

Not even the political parties were worried about the arrival of the Holy Zoni, as a multitude of people from all parties venerated the miraculous Holy Zoni of our Panagia. Those who did not want to venerate, have not announced it.

The Childhood Home of Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi Consecrated in Cyprus

In the village of Druseia of Paphos, a large number of people arrived from various regions of Cyprus to attend the consecration of the restored family home of Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi, who reposed in 2009 at Vatopaidi Monastery on Mount Athos.

It was in this house where he lived his childhood years with his peasant family and from where he left for Mount Athos to become a monk at the age of 15. Prior to this, he had to drop out of elementary school in the 4th grade in order to help his parents with the agricultural work.

This house, once deserted after the death of his parents Pantelis and Eugenia, was left to remind the few relatives of the humble mother and father of the late Elder, but also of the childhood of little Socrates, which was Elder Joseph's name before his monastic tonsure.

A Portion of the Skull of Saint Photios the Great

 

 

A portion of the sacred skull of Saint Photios the Great is kept at Kykkos Monastery in Cyprus.

The Five-Domed Church of Peristerona

By Father Michael Nikolaos

The Byzantine five-domed Church of Saints Barnabas and Hilarion, located in Peristerona of Cyprus, is certain to have been built on top of an earlier church. This was proven after archaeological excavations carried out in 1959, where a semi-circular synthronon within the apse of the sanctuary and further west a base of a straight stone iconostasis came to the surface.

These justify us in saying that the first temple had the form of a three-aisled vaulted Basilica that was probably built during the period of the Arab invasions. A part of the northern wall is still preserved from the original church, integrated into the western part of the northern wall of the current church under the newer bell tower.