Agios Mamas Church in Morphou description and photos - Cyprus: Nicosia (Topic)

Agios Mamas Church in Morphou 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 Agios Mamas Church in Morphou.

Photo and description

One of the most important preserved Orthodox shrines in the Turkish part of Cyprus - the monastery of St. Mamas - was built in honor of the hermit Cypriot Mamas, who is better known in our country as Mamant the Shepherd. Mamas lived in the 12th century and was involved in breeding goats and growing grapes. According to the legend, the Roman governor who ruled Cyprus at that time accused the hermit of non-payment of taxes and taxes and sent soldiers after him, who were supposed to bring the “criminal” to the governor. However, when the soldiers were leading Mamas into the city, they were suddenly attacked by a lion who jumped out of the forest. In fear, the soldiers fled, only the captive was not frightened and, riding on a lion, rode it directly to the Roman governor. He was so impressed by this that he forgave Mamas and even freed him from paying all taxes. It is since then that Mamas is considered the patron saint of animals, and also, funny, tax evaders.

In the city of Morphu, a monastery in honor of the saint was built in the 18th century. It is in this temple that the remains of Mamas are kept in a marble sarcophagus. People believe that the balm emanating from the holes in this sarcophagus helps with diseases of the eyes and ears, and can even calm the raging sea.

The temple was originally built in the Byzantine style, but after that it was rebuilt many times. elements of Gothic began to be seen in it. A large central dome was also added much later. The monastery contains many icons of St. Mamas, in which he is traditionally depicted as a young shepherd sitting on a huge lion, holding a lamb in his arms.

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Topic: Agios Mamas Church in Morphou description and photos - Cyprus: Nicosia.