Divine Liturgy is celebrated today on the day of the feast of the Patron Saint of Rizokarpasos, Bishop of Karpases of Agios Synesios, in the cathedral in the enslaved Rizokarpasos. The bishop of Karpasia, Christoforos, will officiate.
Rizokarpasea banquet
The Association "To Rizokarpaso" and the Community Councils of Rizokarpaso organize at noon next Sunday, May 29, the established annual gathering of Rizokarpasos at the center Kosmyria in Aradippou and invite all Rizokarpasi to attend. Information: 99682303, 99478758
Saint Synesius of Rizokarpasos
Saint Synesius of Karpas, the birthplace and nurture of Rizokarpasos, was the bishop of Karpasia and illuminated its episcopal throne with his holiness. In his honor, the people of Rizokarpas built a temple near the cave, "cave of the First Synesis", where the Saint lived and sanctified.
The church of Agios Synesios stands imposing in the central square of the village, and is visible from the two parishes of Rizokarpasos, Leko and Anavrysi, of which it is also a parish church.
Half of the church, from the sanctuary to the south, main entrance, is of Byzantine style and was built during the tenth century. The other half of the church, from the south entrance and west, including the octagonal dome, was built around 1850. This can be read from an inscription inside the church that reads:
"IT WAS MADE DURING THE DAYS OF ARCHBISHOP SOPHRONIOS OF THE FIRST YEAR UNDER ARCHITECT CHRISTODOULOS MICHAEL".
The rhythm of the church today is three-aisled, with two semicircular arches. The third was demolished to make way for the bell tower. The central aisle is taller. Internally the church is 18,5 meters long and nine meters wide. On the roof it has two domes, one of which has a cross. It has four doors, one in the bell tower, one in the south which is the main entrance, one west and one north. It also has seven large windows. Admirable and is its bell tower.
Inside there is the imposing wood-carved iconostasis, built by the people of Larnaca, Sophocles and Charalambos, at the beginning of the twentieth century, in 1918. In the excellent wood-carving work, there are three gates with the beautiful gate in the center and the other two ends on the right and left respectively . Above there are two rows of small portable icons of prophets and hierarchs and below them are the large icons, and in front of each there is a candle to illuminate them.
During the medieval times, the church of Agios Synesios was the cathedral of the Orthodox Bishop of Famagusta, where he received the title of Bishop of Karpaseos and Famagusta.
The monk Akakios writes: “In the east Saint Andreas should stand bravely, in the west Mrs. Eleousa, to drive away all evil, not to let it come into your city, in the north Saint Philon guards, in the south Saint Synesius cross-leggedly, so that nothing could enter the cross, no one against and the other churches around like a wheel ”.
Agios Synesios celebrates on May 26, but the big festival took place during the glorious week, where a large crowd arrived in Rizokarpaso to worship and do their shopping by the many shopkeepers who set up their huts in front of of the church.
Today the church, despite the occupation, is in quite good condition. It was also maintained on the initiative of the church's nun, Mr. Paraschos Pantelis.
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| Typical photo of Agios Synesios square taken in 1870. In the lower left corner was built an oven. In its place today is built the cafe of Ag. Synesiou. The only cafe that remained in the possession of a Greek Cypriot. In the middle we see caravans of animals with the riders, obviously going for a pilgrimage to Apostle Andreas. Just behind the riders is the old inn of Ag. Synesiou. Today in their place are the shops of Ag. Synesiou. These shops were rented by the Rizokarpasites before the Turkish invasion. From left to right. Customs, Pharmacy, Barber of Dimitrakis of Kattos, Convenience Store of Sionias (Yiannis Economidis), The cafe of Polykrates (Krati), followed the shop of the Confectioner. |
SotiraNews (Photos: www.rizokarpason.com)