Omodos
07/08/2008 - By John Adams
Omodos Monastery
Omodos Monastery
Take a 1,000 year old village, preserve its quaint narrow streets and old stone build houses, add a venerated and spectacular monastery, sprinkle it all with star dust and you have OMODOS!
Nowhere in the Troodos Mountains offers the attraction that Omodos can and does.
It is an ancient village built around the "Timios Stavros Monastery" - Monastery of the Holy Cross.
Way back in the mists of time, the people of the ancient village of Koupetra (now gone) could see what seemed like a small fire burning at night on the opposite side of the valley. At the site of the light they found a small cave containing just a small wooden cross. Nothing else, just the cross. They realised the significance of this phenomena and created a chapel over the cave and the cross.
There is no specific date to this event but it was long, long before the 4th century A.D. This much is known because records exist showing that the village of Omodos had been created around the Monastery that had grown from the simple chapel and it had become a place of great ecclesiastical importance in Cyprus attracting pilgrims from all over the world. It was so important that when Saint Helen came to Cyprus in 327 A.D. she visited the Monastery and presented it with one of the most valuable artefacts of the Christian world - a section of the blood-stained rope that bound Jesus to the Cross.
Over the centuries that followed, many other items of incredible ecclesiastical value (not to mention financial value!) have found their way to the monastery for safekeeping the skull of Apostle Phillip, the remains of no less than 26 saints, precious jewels, holly vessels and at least three wonderful and ancient holy crosses.
The ancient church bell dates back to 1812 and was the first Christian Church bell to ring in Cyprus. An event of some significance in (the then) Turkish ruled Cyprus.
In fact then - as it is also now - Omodos was the most visited village in the mountains. So much so, all roads to the other villages started in Omodos. This is probably how the village gained its name; out of the adverb "omou" (with) and the word "odos" (street) - we have Omodos.
Nowadays Omodos is so much more than just the Monastery. It is the center of the mountain wine producing area with no less than five wineries, all of which you can visit to taste the wine and see how it is produced.
Many nature trails originate in and around Omodos.
Many original cottage industries live in the quaint winding streets and lanes of this old stoned build village. Lace making, glass blowing, jewellery making, traditional village bakeries, cheese making and so many more.
Then there are the original ancient preserved houses, some of which are open as museums. The old - still working - village wine press and of course the restored, spacious village square surrounded by lovely old houses and cafes all looking on to the cobble-stone square that hosts weddings and many other annual celebrations.
Every Easter, from the Monastery, a priest takes the holy cross on a procession around the village and blesses each village house. Tradition has it that this event is welcomed by the householder by firing his shotgun in the air - as the priest arrives and as he leaves. This tradition is to use the gun as a demonstration of the power of the cross. Holy Cross day is celebrated by a fair and party in the square on September 14th each year.
Omodos values its heritage. It does not live in the past - indeed it is one of the most progressive villages in Cyprus. Every resident is careful to preserve the wonderful ambience and traditional village atmosphere, so visiting Omodos today is not so very different from a visit say, 100 years ago - except for the donkeys. It's not true that all the donkeys are in Paphos! There are still a few in Omodos for you to see and pet. The villagers love their donkeys and so will you. Of course motorised transport holds sway but not in the village center. The quaint winding little streets and lanes are far too narrow for cars and in any event they are forbidden by statute.
So many things to see and do: Omodos then and now. Omodos will welcome you and you will welcome Omodos. THE mountain village. A true Cypriot experience!
About the Author:
John Adams is a writer and a chocolate expert - the founder of The Chocolate Workshop in Pano Platres (a village nearby Omodos) which offers a wide variety of handmade chocolates with exclusively Cypriot fillings. Tel: 99766446
Photo Gallery - Omodos
Click here for Slideshow. You can also click on any of the photos to start slideshow.
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