AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN SANCTUARY
Throughout its turbulent history, Cyprus has been repeatedly occupied by several larger foreign powers. This has inevitably caused political unrest, in particular for the Greek Orthodox Church. In light of this, the isolated mountains of Troodos have throughout the ages offered a critical sanctuary for the Orthodox Christian community.
FOUNDED IN THE 12TH CENTURY
The Holy Monastery of Panagia Machairas was founded during the 12th century near the village of Lazanias by a Greek Byzantine monastic order. Located in the eastern part of the Troodos Mountain range, within the district of Nicosia, today it stands at an altitude of approximately 900 meters above sea level.
STAVROPEGIAL STATUS
Retaining its special status to this day, this monastery, along with the monasteries of Kykkos and Agios Neophytos, was granted stavropegial status by order of the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos. All three, as a result, are allowed to retain their independence from the local diocese. This has made all three monasteries the most important, majestic, and ancient active monasteries on the island.
A DEFENSIVE STRUCTURE
Designed with defence in mind, this monastery was built primarily to protect its resident monks and to safeguard its valuable religious treasures. In light of this, the Holy Monastery of Panagia Machaira is a rare example of a fortified monastery. Its structure, as a result, is emphasised by its thick stone walls and buttresses, and an ancient bridge spanning a deep ravine.
THE ICON OF THEOTIKOS MACHAIROTISSA
Steeped in legend, the discovery of the wonder-working icon of the Theotokos Machairotissa nearby is connected with the founding of the monastery, giving it its name. Renowned for its miracles of healing, the icon is considered to be one of the icons painted by the Evangelist Luke. It was initially hidden in a cave in the mountains after it was secretly brought from Constantinople to Cyprus during the period of iconoclasm, but then mysteriously disappeared. In 1145, however, the local hermit monks, Neophytos and Ignatios, discovered the icon after clearing dense undergrowth using large knives much like machetes. After the discovery, Machairas, which translates to knife, gave both the icon and the monastery its name.
A REFUGE FOR A KING
Although the monastery’s monks have traditionally been known for their many craft traditions, which included bakers, winemakers, and metal wares, it is the monastery’s association with healing that it is mainly known for. The monastery grounds once housed a grand hospital where free medical care was provided to all who sought sanctuary. This took King James I of Cyprus and his wife there in 1393, after a local plague had beset the area.
DESTROYED BY FIRE
The monastery was severely damaged by fire in 1530, and again in 1892. Although several buildings were damaged, its icons and the ancient parchment manuscript containing the monastic rule remained unharmed. After the 1892 fire, Archimandrite Chariton collected donations for its restoration. One of its main benefactors at the time was the Orthodox Russian Empire.
THE HOLY CROSS
Today the monastery’s main church building still houses the icon of the Theotokos Machairotissa. The church also includes chapels dedicated to the Holy Cross and the Theotokos Hodegetria. Adorned with a silver-gilt cover, the Holy Cross, which contains a particle of the true cross, takes centre stage in the chapel. The vestry also preserves a rich collection of ancient books, manuscripts, icons, and ecclesiastical artefacts.
A HIDEOUT FOR EOKA REVOLUTIONARIES
The protective structure of the monastery also remained strategically vital well into the 20th century. This is when it was used as a hideout for Greek-Cypriot revolutionaries fighting British colonial rule. In light of this, the monastery complex today houses a small museum dedicated to a major hero of the Cypriot liberation struggle. EOKA leader Grigoris Afxentiou often disguised himself as a local monk and used the monastery as cover for several of his covert operations.
