Filenews 14 August 2024 - by Dora Christodoulou
The thousands of pilgrims and other visitors who traditionally flood the famous Monastery of Agios Neophytos in Tala, Paphos, are particularly lucky this year: They will have for the first time the opportunity to combine a visit to the most famous monastery of the island, with a pilgrimage and a visit to three other churches in their complete form, which have been erected "satellite" of the Stavropegic Monastery.
The visitors of August will essentially witness the existence of the first ecclesiastical park in Cyprus in which they will be able to exercise their personal needs, such as pilgrimage, hiking, nature worship and rest in the greenery.
Centered on the Monastery of Agios Neophytos, in a large area in the area of Tala, three chapels have been completed and are now operating, Agios Ephraim, Agios Antonios and now Profitis Ilias. This year, thousands of pilgrims and other visitors of the Fifteenth of August have the opportunity to enjoy the Monastery of Agios Neophytos, as well as the other three chapels that now create a landscape of unique beauty and religious devoutness.
Apart from the religious element, the completion of the works on them also includes the existence of nature trails and walking routes in the already unique natural beauty and ecological value, so that pilgrims and travellers can combine their pilgrimage with a walk in nature and enjoy from the highest points of the route a breathtaking landscape that extends from Pafos Airport to the Sea Caves of Peyia.
The inauguration of the last of these religious works was celebrated on the evening of July 12 by the Archbishop of Cyprus George, together with the Bishop of Hytron and Abbot of Agios Neophytos, Leontios. At a high altitude, with breathtaking views, the third chapel around the monastery was given to the faithful and other visitors of the area. The Prophet Elias has been built on the spot where there was another temple dedicated to his grace in antiquity, while the inauguration period was symbolic, since as it was stressed his memory is honoured every year on July 20, the anniversary of the obstructive day for Cyprus.
The first two of the chapels that are part of the project have been completed and have been open to visitors for months. These are the chapels of St. Anthony and St. Ephraim. The latter is already a point of arrival for hundreds of believers since it has been erected on the main road leading to the entrance of the Monastery of Agios Neophytos and its approach is very easy.
