Day 1 |
Arrival to Cyprus and accommodation in the Hotel |
Day 2 |
The Kykkos Monastery, dedicated to the Virgin of Kykkos, is the most famous and rich active Cypriot monastery. Founded high on the northwest face of the Troödos Mountains around end 11th century by a Byzantine Emperor, it carries a potpourri of tales of intrigue, deceit, visions, miracles, and unshakeable faith. It’s most important possession is an icon of the Virgin Mary reputedly painted by Luke the Evangelist. The Virgin’s face is veiled and never revealed. People from all over the world come to the Monastery to the miracle-working Mother of God, asking Her to cure them of some illness or grant them the strength to cope with life’s trials and personal and family problems. They also seek blessings from the relics of the numerous Saints in the Museum, like St. Stefanos, Helena, Lazarus, Barnabas, Aristobulus, Epiphanius and Matrena. |
Day 3 |
Free day to explore the city |
Day 4 |
Tour to the famous Church in a cave. Also known as Panagia Chrysospiliotissa, it was built in the 17th century in honor of Panayia Khrysospiliotissa, Our Lady of the Golden Cave. This was a catacomb that was reworked to form a large cave within which a Church was erected. The 12th century Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary of Valana in the Church is believed to have miraculous powers. It is the only Icon in the whole World where women have to pray within a circular miracle spot and then go beneath the icon to receive the fruit of their prayers. Women from around the world come to ask the Virgin for a successful marriage. While such a request may be made at several sites, barren women come to this cave to pray for an issue. Even if medical specialists rule out childbirth for a woman, that woman will conceive after observing the ritual. |
Day 5 |
Trip to Timios Stavros Monastery or the Monastery of the Holy Cross at Omodos holds relics taken directly from Golgotha, the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. The most important is the Great Cross with the Holy Rope. The piece of rope was given by St. Helena on her visit in 327-328 AD. A wooden Cross with a gold and silver-plated cover is placed in a special canopy at the iconostasis, bearing various depictions from the life of Christ. At the centre of the Cross, sheltered by a golden wicket that opens, lies the ‘AGIOS CANNAVOS’ (Holy Hemp-made Rope), also called the ‘AGIO SCHINIO’ (Holy Rope), a piece of the rope that the Romans used to fasten Christ upon the Cross and is stained red with His blood. It is the sole existing piece in the world. This church is a wonder of the World where visitors come to pray, asking for miracles related to family issues, health and happiness. |
Day 6 |
Free day to explore the city |
Day 7 |
Monastery of St.Thecla (30 AD-circa 120 AD) was a saint of the early Christian Church, an ardent follower of Paul the Apostle and who decided on self-abnegation later in her life. Shielded by divine intervention three times in her life, her martyred remains were interred in Ma'loula, Syria. A Greek Orthodox nunnery of St. Thecla, Deir Mar Takla was built near her cave tomb, and is a pilgrimage site with a holy well. The Holy Monastery of Ayia Thekla, built by St. Helena of the Crosses in the 327 AD is located about 500 metres south of Mosfiloti village in Larnaca District. The holy water issuing from a spring there heals skin problems, including difficult ones like eczema, besides clearing issues with the eyes and the head. It reportedly helps to find a spouse for marriage. People come from all over the globe to this Monastery to be treated for many illnesses and bring with them the affected parts of their body moulded in wax. They tie these moulds to the icon of St.Thekla and then pray to be healed in the tomb under the church. This is where they get a paste of healing mud oozing out of the ground. The fount of the Holy water is right next to this patch and has been proven to treat many other illnesses. Women come there and splash this holy water onto their faces in an effort to retain their youthful looks. Our journey continues to the St. Cyprian and St. Justina Monastery. The lives of St. Cyprian, a sorcerer reformed and converted by the Almighty through St. Justina circa 268-304 AD, and her own life history give details in Christian literature of sorcery and its power over men—and its defeat by the power of Christ. Executed in Antioch, an ancient Greek city, but buried in Rome, their remains were hidden in a small village church in Meniko, near Nicosia, in the 13th century. Many were healed by worshipping the relics of the saints, including Cypriot King Peter 1 Lusignan, who had a bigger church built on the site in mid-14th century. Saints Cyprian and Justina have worked many miracles through their intercession for victims of an evil eye or a curse and those suffering from satanic influence, voodoo or black magic. The monastery also hosts the shoes of St. Spyridon, who confers blessings on those who pray to him for help with their business or tide over difficult financial times. |
Day 8 |
After breakfast, free time to explore the city. Transfer from the hotel to the airport and return to Warsaw. |
* Cost include: private car and English/Russian speaking guide
* Cost per person and based on number of people.
* Prices do not include cost of food or accommodation.