The Salonica View team organizes a one-day excursion to Saint Raphael in Pachyammos and to Holy Mary Chrysopateritissa in Pomos.
A few words about our excursion:
We will start from Nicosia and head towards the Astromeritis roadblock. There will be a short stop for rest and coffee in the square of Kato Pyrgos Tellyrias. Then we will continue our route to visit the Holy Church of Saint Raphael in Pachyammos for a pilgrimage. Then we will transfer to our bus and continue our route to the village of Pomos in the district of Paphos. Our first stop in the village will be the Dragon's Cave, a rocky cave of special natural beauty, with an opening to the sea. Our second stop will be the Monastery of Holy Mary Chrysopateritissa, a small church built in a wooded area, just below the Pomos dam. In the end, there will be time for food, coffee, and rest before returning back to Nicosia.
A few words about the church of Saint Raphael:
The Holy Church of Saint Raphael in Pachyammos is located at the foot of Lorovounou, in a barren area that was severely tested in August 1964 by Turkish air raids. The church is a Byzantine-style building, decorated with a wood-carved iconostasis with images of Saints. According to religious tradition, it was erected six years after a miracle, which Saint Raphael performed on a resident of his area. Every year the temple receives thousands of visitors from all over Cyprus and abroad. From the precincts of the church, visitors can admire the magnificent view in front of them.
A few words about the Dragon's Cave:
Spilia is located in the village of Pomos. It is a rocky cave of special natural beauty, with an opening to the sea. The cave is deep and fresh water still comes out from there to this day. In the past, tradition said that ships arrived in the area and robbed the area. In this cave was the famous Dragon, who protected the area from the evils that were happening at that time. Another version spread by the inhabitants is that the cave was inhabited by the Dragon and the Dracaena who guarded the water as a precious commodity. This version is also linked to the two large pillow-shaped rocks outside the cave that the "couple" mentions used to rest on.
A few words about the Monastery of Holy Mary Chrysopateritissa:
It is located approximately five kilometers northwest of the community of Pomos. It is built in a wooded area, just below the Pomos dam. The natural environment, in which this small church is located, "awakens" the visitor's feelings of peace and tranquility. There are two versions of the nickname Chrysopateritissa. One refers to the existence in the monastery of many church fathers, while the second version speaks of an abbot and icon painter of the monastery, named Thomas, who always held a golden crutch (rod) and when he painted the image of the Holy Mary he gave her the name Chrysopateritissa.
Cost of participation (per person):
20 euros/person (without food)
*** Payment will be made on the bus (Ignore the automatic payment message you will receive).
The price includes:
- Escort and organization
- Transportation by bus
You must have with you:
- ID card or passport (if you live in Cyprus and are from another country, bring the yellow slip with you)
- Personal items
- Snack
- Water
Note 1. For the best functioning of the event and for safety reasons, participants must comply with the instructions of the attendants.
Note 2. In case of cancellation of the event due to bad weather conditions, the excursion is moved to another date. Participants unable to participate on that date will be refunded. However, if again the weather conditions do not allow the event to take place, the event is permanently canceled and everyone is refunded. In case of cancellation by the participants, 7 days or less before the date of the event, the money is not returned.
Note 3. Photographic material is shared on our page and social media after each event. By participating in a Salonica View event, you also accept the sharing of photos. Otherwise, as you inform us.
