Stavrovouni Monastery
Description:
The name of Stavrovouni Monastery in translation from ancient Greek means “Mountain of the Cross”. One of the famous and revered island shrines.
Emperor Constantine’s mother Helena founded it in 327. She initiated excavations in search of Calvary. Relics were found that were sent to Constantinople. While sailing from Palestine, the ship was caught in a storm, but people and relics were rescued. The place where this happened was near modern Larnaca. In honor of this, Elena ordered to build a temple on top of the mountain, which was renamed the Mountain of the Cross. The monastery was destroyed several times. It was abandoned for a long time. The restoration was carried out in the 80s of the twentieth century. The monastery is active, twenty monks live on its territory. They are engaged in agriculture, paint icons, produce incense.
The main relic is part of the Holy Cross.
Women are prohibited from entering its territory. Men should be in closed clothes.
It is located 9 kilometers from the highway Nicossia – Limassol, 37 kilometers from Larnaca. You can get there by car or bus.