Kykkos Monastery

Kykkos
Κύκκος
Kykkos Monastery
Kykkos Monastery is located in Cyprus
Kykkos Monastery
Location within Cyprus
Monastery information
Full nameThe Holy, Royal and Stavropegic Monastery of Kykkos
OrderOrthodox monasticism
Established11th century
Dedicated toVirgin Mary
Celebration dateAugust 15, September 8
DioceseChurch of Cyprus
Controlled churchesMetochi Kykkou
People
Founder(s)Alexios I Komnenos
PriorNikiphoros, Metropolitan of Kykkos and Tylliria
Architecture
StyleByzantine
Site
LocationTroodos, Paphos District
CountryCyprus
Coordinates34°59′02″N 32°44′28″E / 34.984°N 32.741°E / 34.984; 32.741

Kykkos Monastery (Greek: Ιερά Μονή Κύκκου or Κύκκος [locally [ˈt͡ʃikʰos]] for short, Turkish: Cikko Manastırı), which lies 20 km west of Pedoulas, is one of the wealthiest and best-known monasteries in Cyprus.

The Holy Monastery of the Virgin of Kykkos was founded around the end of the 11th century[1] by the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos (1081–1118). The monastery lies at an altitude of 1318 meters on the north west face of Troödos Mountains. There are no remains of the original monastery as it was burned down many times. The first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III started his ecclesiastical career there as a monk in 1926.[2] He remained fond of the place and returned there many times. His request to be buried there materialised after his death in 1977. His tomb lies 3 km west of Kykkos monastery and remains a popular visitor destination.[3]

  1. ^ "World & Nation". The Minnesota Daily. Associated Press. February 10, 1997. Archived from the original on January 15, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
  2. ^ "Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus". Time Magazine. March 19, 1956. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
  3. ^ "Makarios to Be Buried Near His Monastery". The New York Times. August 8, 1977. Retrieved 2008-04-24.