The Chapel of Saint Andronikos -Kalopanayiotis
Trip Start
May 27, 2012
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74
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Trip End
Jun 10, 2012
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Where I stayed
CASALE Panayiotis
Kalopanayiotis, Lefkosia, Cyprus
Friday, January 18, 2013
As I am ambling around the village a beautiful narrow cobbled-stoned alley attracts my attention, so I decide to follow it and I come to a very small picturesque chapel.
It is the chapel of St. Andronikos. I asked a lady if I can get inside and she offers to go and fetch the key. Thus I have the opportunity to take some photos from the interior. In the village there are many churches and chapels however. I have never before come across such a small place with so many churches. One is that of Saint Marina and Panayia Theotokos (Virgin Mary) the chapels of Saint Athanasia, Saint Kyriakos, Archangel Michael, Saint Sergios, Bachos and Panayia Theoskepasti.
However, the most important Byzantine monument is that of the Monastery of Saint John Lambadistis that I visited yesterday.
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I WAS CURIOUS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SAINT AND I HAVE THE INFORMATION I FOUND FOR YOU TO READ IF YOU WISH.
Saint Andronikos was a native of Antioch. He was a silversmith and he was very wealthy. When he married Athanasia they agreed to share their fortune in three parts. One part they gave to the poor, the second one they loaned -without interest –to those in need, and the third part they kept for their own needs. They had two children, a boy and a girl but both died at the age of 12.
Athanasia was saddened very much by the death of her children and did not want to leave the place of Saint Julian's martyrdom where they were buried. During the night the Marty Julian appeared before her in the form of a Nun and asked her why she was in grief and she replied it was because she had lost both her children on the same day.
"Just like the human being who cannot live without food, so the children are seeking the Grace of God" the Martyr replied.
When she heard these words her sadness was turned to joy and instantly the Martyr disappeared. When s
She returns home and tells Andronikos what had happened and asked him to let her settle in a monastery. Andronikos had the same desire and so the two of them set out for the same cause. Andronikos stayed with Abbey Daniel while Athanasia was sent to the “Tavvennisioton” Monastery.
After twelve years Andronikos wanted to go to the Holy Land for a pilgrimage. There he met his wife Athanasia disguised as a man, who was there for the same reason. They stayed together in the same cell until their death without Saint Andronikos knowing that he was living with his wife.
The Orthodox church honors their memory on the 9th of October.
Saint Andronikos is honored very much in Cyprus. Two villages bear his name and many churches –more than thirty are dedicated to him.
Comments
That is a good legend, not a bad little church either
Thanks for the photos and information