At
a distance of a few kilometres east of the village Apsiou and north
of the village Mathikoloni of the Limassol district, stands the Monastery
of "Panagia Faneromeni Amirous".
The Monastery is built at the foothill of "Kakomallis"
and in such position that allows one to have a great view, up to
the sea of Zygi. Within a very beautiful landscape and a -one of
a kind -panoramic openness of the ground, you are given the chance
of enjoying the Lord's miraculous deeds.
The tranquillity of the region and also the intense presence of
the Virgin Mary in this "garden" of hers make the Holy
Monastery an oasis for every distressed and tired traveller.
According to tradition, its foundation dates back to the 12th century.
Testimony reports to it as a "Vasilomonastero" (built
by some Royalty). Afterwards it was made known as a men's Monastery
that -during its heyday in the 17th century -run up to a hundred
and one monks. Two dependencies also belonged to the monastery,
one of which lies north of the Monastery and is dedicated to the
Saint and martyr Fotios while the other south and is dedicated to
the Saint and great martyr Marina.
It
was rich and owned many estates around the Monastery that, when
the Monastery declined, were sold to the inhabitants of the surrounding
villages. After the re-establishment of the village in September
of 1997, several estates -necessary for the preservation of the
Monastery's peace -were bought by the Holy See of Limassol.
Regarding the name Amirou, the predominant tradition reports that
some "Emires" (Emir) from Syria had a daughter who was
blind by birth; he wanted to take her abroad for treatment and while
sailing along the coast of Amathus, the blind daughter saw light
at some spot for the first time. Following the light, they were
led to the area where -even today -the Monastery's healing Holy
Water springs from a rock. It is exactly there that the small icon
of the "Vrefokratousa" (holding the infant Jesus) Virgin
Mary was found, which is dated back to the era of Iconoclasm. Today
this Icon is found there, incorporated in a larger icon of the Virgin
Mary that dates back to the 16th century and is placed in the Monastery's
icon screen; this exactly is the miracle making icon of "Panagia
Faneromeni".
The Emir's daughter, after washing her face with the Holy Water
regained her sight. As a token of gratitude toward the Virgin Mary,
the Emir erected the first Temple that is extant -though renovated
-today. The icon screen is a 17th century, woodcut and gold-plated
piece of excellent artistry. The icons date back to the 15th- 17th
century.
The
Monastery is dedicated to "Zoodohos Pigi" (Life-giving
Spring), celebrating on Easter Friday when a vigil is kept. It celebrated
on Low Sunday to make easier the attendance of the faithful. It
is also honoured with a vigil on the day of "Panagia Faneromeni",
that is, the 23rd of August which is the day of the Assumption.
The Monastery's renovation is the doing of the blessed, "gerontissa"
(old-lady) Maria, who was the first resident and founder of the
Monastery, having settled there along a small company of nuns. This
occurred after the suggestion and with the blessing of the old-man
Porfyrios, being the spiritual mentor of the "old-lady"
Maria for a number of years. The "old-lady" Maria died
due to an illness on 07/10/2001 and was buried in the Holy Monastery
of the Virgin Mary according to her wishes. She really loved the
Monastery and fought to see it revived until the end of her life.
We are certain that -there where she now is -she mediates for the
continuation of the mission she had envisioned.
On Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers, 19th of May 2002, the enthroning
of Sister Mariam, which came from the Monastery of St. Eracelidios
with the blessing of the venerable Metropolitan Bishop of Limassol,
Mr. Athanasios, took place. Five Sisters reside and live in the
Monastery today, staying in temporary prefabricated lodgings.
With the help of "Panagias Amirous", the architectural
plans for the new Monastery, which will be constructed from the
foundations and up, have been made. The cost is huge. The Monastery
has no financial resources. Its only support for the onset of the
project is the property that the "old-lady" Maria donated
to the Monastery for this purpose. (May her name live forever).
We are certain that the Virgin Mary that looks after for the reconstruction
of the Monastery will help us in this difficult task, as also will
the love of the pious people of Cyprus that really love the Monastery
and benefit from the Grace of the Virgin Mary in various ways.
The Monastery is becoming particularly known during the past five
years due to the Virgin Mary herself, which appears to many and
invites them to visit the Monastery, as well as because of the many
miracles that she performs -especially healing of eyes through Her
miraculous Holy Water. Indications of those are the countless gold
and silver offerings.
The Monastery accepts visits daily, from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
and from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. It remains closed every Friday.
It is constantly open every Sunday. Every Saturday commemorations/memorials
take place. Services are held 3-4 times a week, every Saturday and
Sunday indispensably.
For more information contact the phone-number 25542035 or the fax-number
25542921.
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