Cyprus Religion

Spirituality is universal

The main religion in Cyprus is the Greek Orthodox. Christians make up 78% of the Cypriot population. Most Cypriots are members of the Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus. In addition to the Orthodox Christian there are also other minority groups such as Turkisn Cypriots who are Sunni Muslims, Maronites, Christian Arabs, Roman Catholics and Jews.

There are several Orthodox churches in each town, and between towns, of varying sizes. The services are in Ancient Greek and are often relayed on loudspeakers outside the buildings. People come and go as they wish, the services can last two hours or more, but it’s not unusual for people to come and go throughout.

Religion has always been of high importance in the Island as people after all these hardships they suffered through the wars they created a strong connectionc with the divine seeking for help in order to give them inner strength to handle all the suffering the loss of their families and fortunes caused them. On the other hand, looking back in history, church-religion has deep connections with the Island's educational system, affecting political decisions such as national liberation struggles and of course people's cultural direction. Nowdays,Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus has not such a connection with the educational system but still expresses its opinion on political issues, even though we are a secular state.  

Cyprus is not named by chance, "Saint Isa" or "Island of Saints". The glory is scattered by churches, monasteries and chapels. Most of the churches in Cyprus are attractions and worth your visit.

The following 10 churches are on the UNESCO World Heritage List and are the custodians of our culture, who marries the Greek Orthodox religion with the painting style, with scenes from our religious tradition depicted elaborately in the exceptional temples in all respects.

1. Panagia of Arakas (in the area of ​​Pitsilia, in the center of Troodos)
2. The Virgin of Moutoullas (in the village of Moutoullas)
3. The Virgin of Podithos (near the village of Galata)
4. The church of Agios Nikolaos of Stegi (near the village of Kakopetria)
5. The Monastery of Saint John of Lampadistis (the valley of Marathasa near the village of Kalopanagiotis)
6. The church of Archangel Michael (in the village of Pedoulas)
7. Panagia tis Asinou Church / Panagia Phorbiotissa (near the village of Nikitari)
8. The Church of Metamorphosis of the Savior (in the village of Paleochori)
9. The church of the Holy Cross of Agiasmati (near the village of Platanista)
10. The church of Timios Stavros (near the village of Pelendri)

The most famous monasteries that exist today in Cyprus are the following:

Crossroads Monasteries

• Holy Monastery of Panagia of Kykkos
• Holy Monastery of Our Lady of Machairas
• Holy Neophytos Monastery
• Holy Monastery of Apostle Barnabas
• Holy Monastery of Panagia Kathara

Parish Monasteries of the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus

• Monastery of Apostle Andrew
• Monastery of Archangel Michael
• Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary
• Holy Monastery of Panagia Trikkukiotissa

Holy Metropolis of Pafos

• Holy Monastery of Chrysorrhoatiasis
• Holy Monastery of Trooditissis
• Holy Monastery of Timios Stavros Minthis
• Holy Monastery of Panagia Salamitissis

Holy Metropolis of Kition

• Holy Monastery of Stavrovouni
• Holy Monastery of Saint George of Mavrovouni
• Holy Monastery of Saint Marine and Raphael

Holy Metropolis of Kyrenia

• Holy Monastery of Agios Panteleimonos
• Monastery of Acheroizitis
• Monastery of Archangelos Antimotopos
• Holy Monastery of Panagia Melandrinas

Holy Metropolis of Limassol

• Holy Monastery of Timios Prodromos Mesa Potamos
• Holy Monastery of Counselor Christ
• Holy Monastery of St. George Alamanos
• Holy Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi - Panagia Glossa
• Holy Monastery of Panagia Sfagladiotissa
• Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas of the Cats
• Monastery of Panagia Amassou
• Holy Monastery of Panagia Amira

Holy Metropolis of Morphou

• Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas of Orounta
• Holy Monastery of Agios Ioannis Lampadistis
• Holy Monastery of Panagia Araka
• Holy Monastery of Panagia Asinou
• Holy Monastery of Stavros Agiasmatis
• Monastery of Panagia Podithou
• Sacred Sheikh Sheriff's Sanctuary
• Holy Monastery of Panagia Chrysokourgoliotissis

Holy Metropolis of Constance

• Holy Monastery of St. Kendeas
• Holy Monastery of Ayia Napa

Holy Metropolis of Tamassos

• Holy Monastery of Agios Irakleidios
• Monastery of Saint Panteleimonos Acheras
• Sanctuary of St. John the Theologian

Holy Metropolis of Trimythous

• Holy Monastery of Saint Spyridon
• Holy Monastery of Saint Thekla
• Holy Monastery of St. Minas

Visit the churches, country churches and chapels and discover the Greek Orthodox religion in Cyprus ... They are even charmed by other people!