St. Mamas Monastery and Icon museum

-

St. Mamas Monastery and Icon museum


One of the most revered Orthodox churches in Cyprus is the St. Mamas Monastery in Güzelyurt. Many people come to the monastery with faith and hope for help from the saint, whose sarcophagus with relics is embedded in one of the walls of the monastery.



On the Icon St. Mamas is portrayed riding on the back of a lion and holding a lamb in his arms. Legend says that St. Mamas was a humble and poor man living in a cave in the Guzelyurt district. The town administrator of the time declared a mandate that everyone living on the island was bound to pay tax, but St. Mamas refused to, claiming that he lived in a cave up in the mountain. The furious duke ordered St. Mamas to be arrested and delivered to Nicosia, two soldiers escorted him. While on the way to Nicosia, St. Mamas saw a lion jump on a lamb. Witnessed by the terrified soldier, St. Mamas saved the lamb from the claws of the lion, taking it in his arms and then riding the lion until he entered the city. Upon seeing this, the Roman authorities decided to exempt him from paying taxes for the rest of his life. Ever since that day St. Mamas has been known as the patron saint of animals and tax avoiders. 

Location: Güzelyurt

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Agrotourism Holidays in North Cyprus

-
Image
Choosing an agrotourism holiday means you can enjoy a taste of the Cypriot countryside whilst supporting our rural village communities to preserve traditional practices. Each of our agrotourism accommodations is unique and offers our guests a rare opportunity to enjoy rural life in Cyprus like a local. From bread making and olive picking to milking the sheep each accommodation has numerous activities for guests to watch and take part in. Being surrounded by the stunning Cyprus countryside also means you can enjoy some lovely walks or peaceful cycle rides when not turning your hand at crafting or milking. North Cyprus Agrotourism Guesthouses and Accommodations There are a variety of guesthouses and other accommodations available in the Karpaz region of North Cyprus as well as in the Guzelyurt region to the west of the island. Some include views looking out from the foothills of the Troodos over Guzelyurt Bay, whilst others include beautifully decorated rooms within traditional ...
Read more

Transportation in North Cyprus

-
Image
This North Cyprus Transportation Guide provides details on how to both get to and from North Cyprus, as well as the best ways of getting around the country. A great way to explore this beautiful island is by taking one of the many interesting local North Cyprus tours on offer. We also have some useful information on North Cyprus so you can learn more about the country before your travels. North Cyprus is easily accessible by both sea and air, with flights from Europe and the UK to the Ercan Airport in North Cyprus. There are also flights to Larnaca Airport in South Cyprus, from which guests can rent a car or take a transfer to Kyrenia in 1.15 to 1.30 hours, depending on the traffic. There are daily ferry services from Turkey to the seaports at Famagusta and Kyrenia. These ferries cover the distance in about three hours. However, if you wish to bring your own car, the ferry offering this service takes around 8 hours. The freedom of driving yourself around the stunning landscape ...
Read more

North Cyprus Destination Guide

-
Image
North Cyprus Destination Guide A vacation in North Cyprus can be whatever you want it to be! Many people just come to laze on its stunning beaches, whilst others get the adrenaline soaring with the array of outdoor activities to choose from. You can paraglide off the mountains to the coast, ride huge breakers on jet skis, scuba dive, explore the fascinating shipwrecks, burn rubber on the go-kart track and play an inspired round at Esentepe golf course , the newest golf course in North Cyprus. North Cyprus is the ideal place for both the adventurous and those looking to relax. Our North Cyprus Destination Guide below will give you an idea of the major highlights to be found on the island. You can also book one of our interesting tours in North Cyprus directly with us to see the sights or take a look at some of our general information for traveling throughout North Cyprus. Beaches Top The beaches of North Cyprus make a pleasant change from the usual rocky, crowded ones ...
Read more