The Occupation and the wear and tear of time ruined everything. In Myrtos and the surrounding communities, the Holy Monastery of Agios Panteleimon was the point of reference. Today nothing remained the same. SIGMA workshop visited the area. We recorded images from the current situation and the restoration work.
The rescue of St. Panteleimon is as important as that of the Apostle Andrew in Karpasia. From 1976 until the beginning of 2004 the Monastery was turned into a barracks and was abandoned by the Turkish army, because it had become dilapidated.
According to the Commune Leader of Myrtos, Andreas Athanassiou, “Supports were made on windows, doors, arches. "Occupying authorities did not allow us to capture images from inside the temple except from a distance."
Engraved deep in the memory of the people of Myrtos, the memories of the great festival that took place in the village, at the end of July. Pilgrims from all over Cyprus visited Myrtos, with whatever means they had, to worship and pray. The miracles of Saint Panteleimon attracted thousands of believers who spent the night even under the trees. Request of the Myrtiotes to reopen the Monastery.
Until 1974, valuable relics, holy vessels and Gospels were kept in the ossuary of the monastery. Some of the relics were saved thanks to the self-sacrifice in 1974. Myrtioton is and is kept today in the temporary metropolitan Palace of Kyrenia.
Source: SigmaLive