Pilgrimage in Cyprus

The first and highly significant shrine we visit during this excursion is the Church of St Lazarus, located in the oldest city of Cyprus, Larnaca, formerly known as Kition. During the tour you will hear the fascinating history of the church and see its beautiful iconostasis, adorned with rich wood carving and framed by 120 icons. You will be able to venerate the icon of St Lazarus and the reliquary containing his relics.

From there our route continues through Larnaca's tourist area to the village of Kiti, passing the salt lake where pink flamingos arrive every winter.

In the village of Kiti, a few kilometres from Larnaca, stands another shrine of Cyprus – the stone church of Panagia Angeloktisti, the All-Holy Mother of God "Built by Angels". According to tradition, the church was built on this site by angels in a single night. In the vault of the altar apse a mosaic survives, dating from the second half of the 6th century. Only seven such early Byzantine mosaics remain in the entire world!

Our next stop is the men's monastery of St George Mavrovouni, standing on high ground whose name translates as "Black Mountain".

Having enjoyed these beautiful surroundings, we head on to the Monastery of St Thecla. Thecla was known among the people as a healer. At the entrance to the monastery a spring of holy water flows, and it is for the sake of this life-giving spring that pilgrims come to the monastery from all corners of the earth. The monastery was built on the spot where St Helena discovered a spring running through healing clay that cures skin ailments.

From there our route passes through the colourful villages of Cyprus to the heavenly healer, St Therapon. Many afflictions and illnesses were cured by anointing with the myrrh that flowed from the honourable relics of St Therapon. To this day this church holds a fragment of his relics.

Having enjoyed these beautiful surroundings, we travel on to the Monastery of St Heraclidius, the largest women's monastery in Cyprus. The church holds the relics of Heraclidius, as well as a miracle-working icon of the Mother of God the Nursing Mother. The faithful pray to St Heraclidius for healing of spinal ailments and many other conditions. The monastery holds the tomb of Heraclidius, on which a special rug is laid, where the suffering lie down in faith and prayer and never go without gracious help.

We then travel to the seventh shrine – the Church of the Mother of God Chrysospiliotissa. The name translates as "Keeper of the Golden Cave". The faithful come here to pray for a faithful life partner, a strong family and future children. It is believed that the icon of the Mother of God Chrysospiliotissa helps one find happiness in marriage.

DAYS OF OPERATION: daily

EXCURSION DURATION: full-day excursion