With due honors, clergy and people in the free province of Famagusta welcomed on the afternoon of Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Church of Panagia Panagiotissa in Protaras, a copy of the miraculous icon of Panagia Pantanassa from the Vatopaidi Monastery.
The icon was presented by the abbot of the Vatopaidi Monastery, Elder Ephraim, together with Vatopaidi Fathers, and was received by His Holiness Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta, Mr. Vasileios, flanked by the Mayor of Paralimni - Deryneia, Mr. George Nikolettos, and members of the Municipal Council.
The “Armonia” Symphony Band of the Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia and an honorary army band paid tribute, while members of the “Para tin Limni” Cultural Association of Paralimni showered the holy icon with rose petals and flower essences.
This was followed by the Vespers service, led by the Panierotatos.
At the end of the service, Metropolitan Basil welcomed Abbot Elder Ephraim to Cyprus, saying that "the memories of the arrival of the Sacred Belt in our Metropolis and in Cyprus in general are still alive, especially after the publication of the chronicle of its arrival by Archimandrite Augustine. This now remains in our memory and will be remembered not only by us but by all Cypriot Hellenism."
"Now comes the arrival of the icon of the Virgin Mary of Pantanassis, which will bless from this place once again the pilgrims and all Cypriot Hellenism with the wish that the Virgin Mary will be the protector and helper of all those who came with respect, appreciation, and faith to worship, but, more generally, of Cypriot Hellenism with the wish for the speedy freedom of our country."
He then referred to the person of the Most Holy Theotokos through the New Testament, the interpretive tradition of the Church and the decisions of the Ecumenical Councils.
He thanked the Abbot of the Vatopaidi Monastery for the noble gesture and the effort he put into transporting the holy icon, as well as the donors Petros and Ioannis Cleanthos. As a token of gratitude, he presented Elder Ephraim with a cross, and the donors with an icon of the Virgin Mary Panagiotissa.
(Information from the Holy Metropolis of Constantia and Famagusta)
