Monastery of Saint Herakleidios in Politiko description and photos - Cyprus: Nicosia (Topic)

Monastery of Saint Herakleidios in Politiko description and photos - Cyprus: Nicosia. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Monastery of Saint Herakleidios in Politiko.

Photo and description

The Convent of St. Heraclius (Heraclidia) is located in the southeastern part of the small village of Politiko, which is located near the ancient city of Tomassos, Nicosia district. The monastery was created in honor of Saint Heraclius, who lived at the turn of the 1st-2nd centuries. Heraclius was considered a disciple of the apostles Peter, Barnabas and Mark, who made him the first bishop of Tomassos.

Saint Heraclius played a really significant role in the spread and popularization of Christianity in Cyprus, so he is especially revered by the locals.

The monastery was created on the site of an ancient cave temple, where it is believed the saint lived, and after his martyrdom he was buried. Since then, the monastery has been destroyed and rebuilt a huge number of times, until, in 1773, the then Archbishop Chrysanthos began to restore it. However, after some time, the monastery was abandoned. But in 1962, on the initiative of Archbishop Makarios, known for his active work, it was restored, and a community of nuns was housed there. Now the inhabitants of the monastery, of which there are about fifty, are engaged in the production of honey and the manufacture of sweets for sale.

This monastery is especially famous for its beautiful Byzantine frescoes. In addition, the monastery contains the relics of St. Heraclius, as well as the head of the Apostle Barnabas, the founder of the Cyprus Church, who was stoned to death. His remains are in a gilded silver sarcophagus. The cave where Saint Heraclius lived and prayed, which is also open for visits, has also survived.

Topic: Monastery of Saint Herakleidios in Politiko description and photos - Cyprus: Nicosia.