Located on the slopes of Kionia, in the valley of Machairas mountains, Machairas Monastery is one of the most famous on the island and houses the miraculous icon of Panagia (the Virgin Mary) of Machairas, which is attributed to Agios Loukas (Apostle Luke) the Evangelist.
According to legend, an unknown hermit sneaked the icon into Cyprus during the iconoclasm years (between the 8th and 9th century AD) and kept it in his cave until his death around 1145. Blessed with the divine grace, the hermits Ignatios and Neophytos, discovered the cave – which was obscured by bushes – and were able to reach it by cutting down the undergrowth with a knife given to them by divine hand. As a result, the revealed icon was given the name ‘Machairiotissa’ from the Greek word for ‘knife’ – ‘machairi’. The monastery was built on the same spot, also taking the name.
Today, the renovated vestry basement consists of the monks’ original cells, stables and storage areas, and houses a collection of old books and manuscripts, icons and other religious artefacts.
The brotherhood at the monastery is extremely devout, keeping vows as strict as those of Mount Athos in Greece.
Region: Troodos area [Lefkosia (Nicosia) district]
Address: Machairas
Contact No: Tel: +357 22 359 334
Operating Hours: Daily: 08:30 – 17:30
Group visits by appointment, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 09:00 – 12:00
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: Free
No photography or video permitted.
Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting
Courtesy of the CTO
