The place where Saint Helena founded the Stavrovouni monastery and left a part of the Life-Giving Cross was called Krestovaya Gora, which in Greek means "stavros" - a cross, "vouno" - a mountain.
Christianity in Cyprus
Cyprus was the first province of the Roman Empire to have a Christian in power. The history of Christianity on the island began in the year 45 from the birth of Christ, and was closely connected with the apostles Barnabas and Paul. It was they who began to preach a new religion during their first trip to Cyprus. The ruler of Cyprus, Lucius Sergius Paul, was converted by the Apostle Paul to Christianity.
Since ancient times, Cyprus has been called the "Island of Saints" thanks to hundreds of saints and martyrs who, with true faith, opposed many conquerors who occupied this island at different times.
Thanks to a large number of churches and monasteries, among which is the oldest Orthodox monastery of Stavrovouni, Cyprus today attracts many pilgrims from all over the world.
Pilgrimage of Saint Helena
The mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, Saint Helena has been a Christian since she followed her son into the religion at the age of nearly sixty. Thanks to her, a large number of Orthodox buildings were erected, including the Stavrovouni Monastery in Cyprus.
Emperor Constantine, wanting to find the Life-Giving Cross (on which Jesus Christ was crucified), sent his mother, Queen Helen, to Jerusalem. She found Golgotha, and at the site of the crucifixion of Christ she found three crosses, on one of which, according to legend, there was an inscription - "This is the king of the Jews."
Before setting off on the return journey, Saint Helena ordered that all places connected with the life of the Lord and the Virgin be cleared of traces of paganism. Christian churches were erected in their place. Leaving Palestine, Elena sawed the Cross of the Lord and took only part of it with her.
The history of the creation of the monastery
During the way back from Palestine to Constantinople, St. Helena founded several monasteries, in each of which she left pieces of the Life-Giving Cross. Significant events preceded this.
According to legend, a storm caught them on the way, and it was decided to take refuge and wait out the elements in one of the bays off the coast of Cyprus. At night, Elena saw a wonderful dream in which a young man appeared to her and said that it was necessary to build a monastery and leave a part of the Cross of the Lord in it. The next day, it was discovered that one of the crosses had mysteriously disappeared from the ship. LaterSaint Helena and her companions saw this cross floating in the air above the summit of Mount Olympus.
Thanks to this sign, Empress Elena decided to build a monastery on this very spot. She personally laid a stone in the foundation of the building, and presented the church with one of the large crosses and a particle from the Cross of the Lord.
Thus, in 326, the Stavrovouni Monastery appeared on a 700-meter mountain, and, despite its tragic fate, it still stands there. It was repeatedly attacked by conquerors, of which there were many during the long history of the monastery. In 1821, during the Greek uprising, the monks who had taken refuge in the secret crypt of the monastery were discovered and brutally murdered. In 1887, the monastery was almost completely destroyed by a massive fire.
In 1888, its restoration began, and after a while water supply and electricity were installed there. Today, the Stavrovouni Monastery has been completely restored and continues to be a holy place for pilgrims.
Decoration and life of the monastery
Rising above sea level, the monastery offers its visitors an unusual, bewitching view. Standing on the observation deck, you feel some extraordinary feeling of weightlessness and unity with something really great.
The building in the form of a quadrangle is located on a secluded mountain so that it seems to be its harmonious continuation. One of its sides faces the Mediterranean Sea. Lined with gray bricksthe walls, fortified with buttresses, with small openings for windows, amaze with their grandeur and impregnability. The inner courtyard seems too small and cramped for a Byzantine-style church with a three-tiered bell tower.
All the interior of the monastery, devoid of luxury and sophistication, speaks for itself. Those who live here have long abandoned everything superfluous and worldly.
The vaults of the main temple of Stavrovouni are decorated with frescoes by the monk Kallinikos. The most significant moments in the life of the monastery come to life on them - the scenes of finding the Life-Giving Cross and Empress Elena folded her hands in prayer.
You can also see the icon painter's workshop itself, which preserves the traditions of the Byzantine Church. It is located opposite the lower courtyard, bearing the name of St. Barbara. Also here you can visit the Church of All Saints of Cyprus, built in 2000. She stands in front of the Stavrovouni Monastery, on the very edge of the mountain.
The monks living in the monastery adhere to strict rules and regulations established by the first abbot Dionysius. Their main occupations are subsistence farming, icon painting, and the preparation of incense.
What you need to know
There are some prohibitions that you should be aware of when you are going to Stavrovouni Monastery. Photography and video filming is strictly prohibited here. It is also not allowed to enter the monastery in beach clothes. Women are not allowed to enter inside. But this does not mean at all that the ladies should not climb the mountain. They will have something to see and besides the internaldecorations.
Every day, except for a break from 11 am to 2 pm, you can visit Stavrovouni Monastery.
How to get there
Magnificent mountain landscapes, bordering on the sea open up during a trip along the serpentine roads of Cyprus. In order to get to one of the most revered monasteries, you can use the services of a guide and go to your destination as part of an excursion group.
Since there is no public transport here, the second option would be to rent a car. It will drive about 40 kilometers from Limassol towards Larnaca, and then turn towards Nicosia. Then there will be a turn leading directly to the monastery. Even if you are new to tourism, there are plenty of signs to keep you on track.
During this trip you will also be able to see other monasteries and a large number of viewing platforms. This trip will remain in your memory for a long time with the most vivid and incredible impressions.
