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Posted on September 3, 2009 in Journal - 0 COMMENTS
Cyprus…A Pilgrim’s Tale
by Rev Fr Chris Flesoras
Some years ago, I attended a George Dalaras concert at the Meadowlands. Considered to be one of the most dynamic international singers of our era, the arena was packed with fans. I still remember one poignant moment when he paused…and then dedicated a song to the island nation of Cyprus. The response of the predominately Greek American audience was a passionate ovation.
Although Cyprus has had a tumultuous history, the events of the summer of 1974 continue to dominate Cypriot politics, and have been a major point of contention between Greece and Turkey. Today, Cyprus is divided into the northern area administered by Turkish Cypriots, and the southern area administered by Greek Cypriots with a prominent United Nations buffer zone denoting the divide. A common hope of all Cypriots is that this issue will one day be resolved without further bloodshed.
In both 2006 and 2009, I was blessed to travel to Cyprus. The trip were overwhelming, affording me further insight into the true splendor of the architecture, artistic expression, and spirituality of Christian Church of antiquity. Thankfully, during my stays, I also had the opportunity to investigate the history of our Holy Relic of Saint Anna.
Christianity was established in Cyprus by the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Barnabas, counted amongst the 70 Apostles in the Book of Acts. The first country in the world to be governed by a Christian ruler, they had as their first bishop, Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead by Jesus after four days in the tomb. As is known from John’s Gospel: “the chief priests took counsel that they might put to death Lazarus also, because by reason of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus” (12:10, 11). In turn, Lazarus fled Jerusalem and traveled to the island of Cyprus, where he lived out his years, being elevated to the Office of Bishop of Kition in 46 A.D. His tomb is located a few miles away from the Larnaca Airport.
The Christian Church of Cyprus is the oldest Autocephalous Church in Christendom recognized by the Council of Ephesus (431), and reaffirmed by the Council of Trullo (692). The Church has thrived with the establishment of countless monasteries and Churches which serve a most faithful population that has created countless saints who remain witnesses to the faith of this land.
The Great Monastery of Kykkos, which is situated in a mountainous region of the country, remarkably possesses one of the most priceless Christian treasurers, an icon written at the hand of the Holy Evangelist Luke. This icon is a testament to the fact that iconography has been an artistic media of the Christianity from the very inception of the Church! Crafted in a mastic-like material, the icon depicts the Christ child cradled in the arms of His mother, Mary. It is located for all to see and venerate on the icon screen of the main church. Today, it is covered with a sterling silver mold and a beautiful embroidered tapestry, which fittingly protects and further dignifies this icon of Christian antiquity.
If we are passionate about our Christian faith, we must be passionate about Cyprus. This land was catechized and baptized by the Apostles, served by a beloved friend of the Lord, visited by the Evangelists Mark and John and Mary the Mother of Jesus, sanctified by the blood of the martyrs, and preserved by the Grace of God to be a treasure for all Christians.
