Hundreds of believers took their steps yesterday in the recently renovated monastery of Apostolos Andreas, on the day of his name day. Among them are the also celebrating first lady Andri Anastasiadis, the president of DISY Averof Neophytou, the AKEL MP Skevi Koukouma, the DISY MP Onoufrios Koullas and many believers.
Andri Anastasiadis and Averof Neophytou participated together with many other believers.
The divine service was performed by the bishop of Karpasia Christoforos with the participation of other clergymen, among them Pope Zacharias, who connected his life with the monastery of Apostolos Andreas. As part of the divine service, a procession of the icon of the saint took place outside the renovated church. Yesterday was the first official operation after the completion of the renovation of the first phase of works for the restoration of the monastery.
The image is clearly improved compared to what the visitor has seen in recent years. Only the shopkeepers remained in office, although their removal had been repeatedly announced. Some pilgrims shop, others do not. Many exchange wishes, others remember the old and compare yesterday with today.
The stairs leading to the cells remained the same. Believers walk out of the cells inspecting them. Someone leans his head against the window trying to figure out what is inside. As it is known, based on the original renovation plans, the cells were planned to be demolished, but yesterday they stood there, arrogantly. As the old knew, as they described to the young. The railings, outside the cells, were replaced, the doors were repaired, repainted, as were the windows. Even the tiles look like new.
The bell tower was restored and now stands, and this, unshakable, despising time. Several groups of believers caught small talk. The marbles inside the church are shining, the wood in the women's room smells of freshness, the chandeliers are full of light, the images are clear and the iconostasis (which you could see with sorrow) in its glory as never before. Dozens of loaves of bread carried by the faithful to a table covered with a clean tablecloth. Pupils of Rizokarpasos high school in a corner watch the divine service.
Averoff: "We live in historical moments"
The president of DISY Averof Neophytou stated after the end of the service that "we are kicking the blessed hour where the Cypriot people will live in a reunited homeland, without roadblocks, without visas, where E / C and T / C, Christians and Muslims, can to function in the sacred places, to praise the God they believe in and to share the prosperity for better days for our place ".
"His great grace and happy birthday to the Andreides in Androules, happy birthday to the Cypriot people", said Averof Neophytou, who added: "We live in historical moments, it is the first service on the day of the feast of the Apostle Andreas here in Karpasia after renovation of the temple. I think it is also a message sent by this influx. I want to believe that with the help of God we will be able to get rid of the occupation and live again in a peaceful, secure, united homeland ".
Restoration plans are delayed
There is a delay in the submission of the renovation plans of the monastery, which will be transferred to the execution of the next two phases in case they are not submitted on time. According to information, the submission of the plans is not only urgent for the Technical Committee for the Preservation of the Cultural Heritage but also for the Church itself, since everyone wants the completion of the works as soon as possible. If the plans are submitted completed within the next few days, then bids will be announced for the next phases in early 2017. However, in the last few days, the submission of part of the plans has begun.
SotiraNews / SigmaLive / Φιλελεύθερος