Cyprus: Historical and DescriptiveLöher, Franz von
History
Cyprus: Historical and Descriptive
Löher, Franz von
Cyprus -- Description and travel; Cyprus -- History
Whilst I was enjoying this scene a third old monk appeared who was
suffering terribly from a wound in his leg, which had not been properly
attended. I showed the poor old soul how to make some lint, and lay it
on the sore, thickly overspread with tallow from the fat of a goat.
This act of charity performed, I followed the good brothers into the
chapel. Like most cloister churches in Cyprus, it appeared to date from
very ancient times, and was probably built when Christianity first
reached the island. Near this little edifice stood two rough buildings,
containing a few rude chambers which, with the chapel, formed the
whole of the monastery. Should anyone wish to pass a week in this spot
he must accustom himself to the pangs of hunger, as the worthy monks
practise the abstinence on fast days, which they require of their flock.
This cloister can boast one most curious and valuable relic, namely,
a picture of the Madonna worked in silver and gold, with the heads of
mother and child painted on ivory. This curiosity is five and a half
feet long, by three and a half feet wide. When I raised the veil that
(as is usual in the island) hung over the face of the Mother of God,
I observed two large silver plates, bearing the device of the Russian
double eagle, and the date 1799, from which it would appear that this
fine work had been the gift of imperial piety. This was no doubt an act
of wisdom, as the whole surrounding country still seems pervaded by
a host of superstitions dating from heathen times. This monastery is
the constant resort of pilgrims on account of the healing powers with
which this picture is supposed to be endowed, and the poor brotherhood
are often hard pressed to find food for themselves and their numerous
visitors.
When we were leaving, the old monk again appeared; his leg was much
better, and he fell upon my neck and embraced and thanked me with much
gratitude. Our road lay through the scene of our last night’s troubles,
and I trembled as I saw the pitfalls we had passed in the pitchy
darkness, and yet escaped with our lives.
I was now desirous of riding through the country to the monastery of
Chrysorogiatissa, which I understood to be about seven or eight leagues
distant; we found, however, that it took us an entire day to reach the
spot.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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