A couple of kilometers cannot be passed in Cyprus without meeting the church. Sometimes these are majestic Byzantine temples with frescoes and bells, sometimes tiny chapels by the road built in memory of the miraculous salvation or by the covenant of parents. But each of them is not just a building. This is a place of power, history and faith.
The church in Cyprus is not only a religion, it is a lifestyle. Here they baptize newborn, crowned by lovers, escorted on the last journey. Here they pray alone and gather the whole village. Holidays are celebrated here - from Christmas to the day of the patron saint of the village. And even if a person does not consider himself deeply religious, the church for him remains a symbol of tradition, belonging and roots.
The church is the geography of Cyprus memory. It stands in the center of almost every village, rises above the sea, hides in the mountains of Troodos. Often it is the Church that remains the only witness to the events of past centuries.
The church is a living connection of generations. Icons written by great-great-grandfathers, lamps transferred from grandmother, services where the same prayers sound for centuries-all this unites Cypriots with their family, history, island.
Today's selection is dedicated to the churches of Cyprus - famous and little -known, majestic and modest. We will show you how you can read the history of the island from them. How they help not to lose themselves in the modern world. Like Cypriots, living in the 21st century, they continue to build new churches - because faith remains alive here.
This article completes the cycle of 30 photographs - part of the project dedicated to the anniversary of the "Herald of Cyprus", which is 30 years old this year.
The material was prepared by Ekaterina Andreevakanal in Telegram
