Saint George’s Cathedral in Kormakitis

100 Years of Life (1905-2005)

Kormakitis, April 23rd

2005

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Saint George’s Cathedral in Kormakitis

100 Years of Life (1905-2005)

Edition: Saint George’ s

Church Committee

Of Kormakitis

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Writing: Father Antonios Fragkiskou Ioannis Karis

Elias Zonias

George Foradaris

Pictures:

- Foradaris’ Foundation

- Elias Zonias

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CONTENTS

Prologue ....................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Salutation from His Beatitude the Archbishop of the Maronites in Cyprus Mr. Petros Gemayiel ...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Historical Retrospection of the Maronite Community of Cyprus ..... Error! Bookmark

not defined.

Kormakitis .................................................................................................................... 11

Saint George’s Cathedral ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Chapels and monasteries .............................................................................................. 45

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Prologue

This book is published on the occasion of completing 100 years of life of the Saint

George’s Cathedral in Kormakitis. It must be noted that this is the only book

concerning the said church. The book is explaining the way of which Saint George’s

church was built, analyses its role in the history of our community and describes its

contents.

By entering Kormakitis, every visitor can see the Saint George’s Cathedral. From any

point of the village the cathedral, imposing and dominant the area, can be seen.

Upon Saint George’s cathedral church committee the writing of this book was

incumbent. With this book, the inhabitants of the village and the visitors will be

informed of the cathedral’s construction and its later history.

100 years have passed, since 1905, when the Archbishop Neyemet Allah Selouan laid

the foundation stone. During these 100 years the cathedral has created history and

tradition, not only in Kormakitis but also, in the rest of the Maronite community and

in Cyprus in general.

The Church Committee wishes to thank the Vicar of the Saint George’s cathedral in

Kornakitis, Father Antonios Fragkiskou, who gathered material for the writing of this

book, as well as Mr Ioannis Karis for the allotment of the photographs from the

records of the dear departed Ioannis Foradaris.

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Special thanks are also owed to the President of the Church Committee, Mr George

Foradaris and to the member of the Church Committee Mr Elias Zonias, who helped

writing and publishing this book.

Saint George’s Church Committee

Kormakitis, April 2005

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Salutation from His Beatitude the Archbishop of the

Maronites in Cyprus, Mr. Petros Gemayiel

Dear Maronites of Kormakitis,

You are celebrating this year the hundredth anniversary of

you cathedral of Saint George. With this opportunity,

remember one hundred years of pray and grace that are

involved with this church. You must also remember, through

the picture of Saint George, patron of the church, the

struggles and sufferings of your ancestors to keep their faith alive. The one hundred

years of history of the church are only a small period of the life and faith in this dear

village of Kormakitis.

You must think the hundreds of years that passed and go back to the beginning of

Christianity in Cyprus, when Apostle Paul, travelling from Salamina to Paphos,

stopped at Kormakitis. What is certain is that thousands of Maronites prayed and

chanted at the Saint George’s church or at the churches that existed before. At this

church the Maronites are chanting until today their Masse in Aramaic language, the

language of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s the only Maronite church worldwide in which

one can listen to the deacon chanting in Syrian before the Gospel the “hush brothers”.

With few words, the history of Saint George’s church in Kormakitis is a summary of

the history of the Maronites in Cyprus.

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I think of all of you and I pray for all of you, especially for those old people who

stayed at Kormakitis facing, with courage and patience, all the difficulties of the past

years. I don’t forget your venerable father S. P. Antonios Terzis, who has almost the

same age with this of your church. And I pray in particular for the young people of

Kormakitis to continue, following their ancestors’ steps, the faith and love towards the

church.

Finally, I would like to mention that we must pray for the priests who served and are

serving this church, as well as for those who worked hard for it. We must also pray for

the different church committees that served this church from time to time. May God,

through Saint George, give us the joy of seeing Kormakitis soon reliving its previous

life with joy, happiness and unity.

+ Petros Gemayiel

Archbishop of the Maronites in Cyprus

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Historical Retrospection of the Maronite Community

of Cyprus

Saint Maronas lived in the 4th

century as a hermit near the

Taurus Mountain in Syria Secunda, a part of the Byzantine

Empire. Many people were impressed by his gift of healing.

This fact, together with his remarkable and austere life led a lot

of people to follow him. After his death, in 410 A.D., a church

was built in his memory. His students composed the core of the

Maronites and they continued constructing monasteries and churches in his name in

Syria and Lebanon. Maronitism was the Christian movement inspired by Saint

Maronas and its students. The monasteries that his students built were a source of

moral uplift for many believers.

The Maronites begun immigrating to Cyprus during the 8th

century and they were

coming form the ancient areas of Syria, the Holy Land and Lebanon. The immigration

was carried out gradually in four periods. According to the historian Palmieri, around

the 12th

century the Maronite population of Cyprus numbered around 50000 people,

inhabiting 60 villages. Proof of this is the fact that many Maronite churches and

monasteries can still be found at Pentadaktylos. However, as a result of the

persecutions that they suffered, the number was decreased substantially, and in 1960

only 5000 people were living in four villages on the north side of Cyprus: in

Kormakitis, Asomatos, Saint Marina and Karpasia. Historical documents confirm that

in 1593 the Maronites were inhabiting 19 villages, among which the four Maronite

villages of today.

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There are several monasteries and churches in areas were Maronites were inhabiting:

the monastery of prophet Elias in Metohi, the chapel of Virgin Mary in Marki, the

chapel of Virgin Mary in Kampyly, the chapel of Saint Romanos in Kefalovryso of

Kythrea, as well as the churches in the four Maronite villages, that is, the church of

the Holy Cross in Karpasia, the Saint George’s church in Kormakitis, the church of

Archangel Michael in Asomatos and the Saint Marina’s church in Saint Marina. All

these are only a few examples of the religious inheritance of the Maronites in Cyprus.

Today, the Maronite community numbers around 6000 people, who are following the

Maronite religion. Their religion is based on the eastern dogma of the Catholic

Church and it’s characterized by a complete obedience to the Roman-Catholic

Church.

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The Maronites of Cyprus have always been a vivid, active and solid community, with

their own homogeneous villages, their own schools, churches, clubs and other

foundations, as well as their own Arabic dialect. Their co-existence with the wider

community and the other communities has always been harmonious. This, however,

did not prevent them from maintaining, with zeal and enthusiasm, their identity,

which comprises of its own distinctive religion, culture, language, manners and

customs.

When the Republic of Cyprus became independent in 1960, they had to choose in

which one of the two communities – Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot – to belong

to. They were given no other choice. So, they chose to belong to the Greek-Cypriot

community, with which they had more common bounds as the language, the culture

and the religion.

1974 was a milestone for the Maronite community. As a result of the tragic events, the

biggest part of the Community became refugees. Today, 98% of the Maronites are

living in the south part of Cyprus, controlled by the Cypriot Government, scattered in

different areas of the island.

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Kormakitis

Kormakitis is situated at the northwest corner of Cyprus. It’s in the center of the

villages of Saint Eirini (south), Diorios (southeast), Myrtou (east), Panagra (east),

Orka (north) and Livera (northwest). It’s the biggest village in extent of the district of

Kyrenia. The total area of the village is 3789 donums from which 13600 is

governmental land. The village is built up on a hill. At the foot of the hill, the valley

of the village is extended. On the distant is the sea. Around the village there are many

olive-trees and locust-trees.

Kormakitis is the biggest of the four Maronite villages of Cyprus. The other three are:

Asomatos, Karpasia, Saint Marina. Before 1974, the population of Kormakitis came

up to 1800 people. At the community there was a school with 210 students. There was

also a kindergarten. Today, 115 people are living in Kormakitis. Most of them are old.

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The school is closed. The last student graduated in June 1999.

Kormakitis is a pure Maronite village. The arrival of the first inhabitants of the village

dates back to the 8th

century, when the first raids of the Arabs to Syria and Lebanon

started.

For the name of the village there are three versions. These are:

First version: The inhabitants came from Kour of Lebanon. When they settled at the

village they were longing for the place they came from, Kour, and they were saying

“Nahnigina oua Kour magit”, meaning “we came but Kour didn’t”. So, from the

phrase Kourmagiti came the name of Kormakitis. This is the strongest version.

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Second version: It has again to do with the descent of the inhabitants and in particular

it has to do with the ancient Phoenician city of Kermia. The first inhabitants who

came to the area knew that nearby there was the city of Kermia, as they also

descended from the Phoenician Tribe and its native tribe of the Maldaites. They were

saying that these people have built Kermiajtite. The word jtite in Aramaic means new.

From Kermia Jtite came the name of the village.

Third version: It comes from the history of the area and particularly from its place-

name. Many historians mention that the village took its name from the homonymous

cape, which was at the beginning named Kromiou akra. According to the historian

Haket, in 50 A.D., the boat with which the Apostles Burnaby and Marcus were

traveling, anchored there, during their second tour in Cyprus. Therefore, the village as

it was initially built near the cape, took the name of Kromiakitis and in the course of

time became Kormakitis.

At the beginning, Kormakitis was built near the cape at the area of Galala. Because of

the raids, the village was transferred inwards into a woody area, near the today’s

chapel of Virgin Mary.

The new place of the village was ideal enough for the agriculture and cattle-raising to

develop. There, there were many springs and rich vegetation. Furthermore, the area

was offering a natural cover from the raids of the Saracens. The number of the village

inhabitants in 1570 was about 850 people. However, in 1572 when Cyprus was

occupied by the Turks, the number of the inhabitants was decreased dramatically and

as a result in 1841 there were only 200 inhabitants. With the arrival of the British in

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Cyprus the living conditions changed and the population of Kormakitis was

increasing. In 1881 the inhabitants were 386, in 1901 they became 513 and in 1960

they increased to 1115 people. In 1974 the population of Kormakitis reached the 1800

inhabitants.

After the tragic events of 1974, most of the people of Kormakitis became refugees

into their own country, whilst a few stayed hemmed in their own village. The number

of the hemmed in was decreasing year by year, and today at the village they live only

115 people, from which the most are old people.

Kormakitis, up to 1974, was help up as a model of a closed society due to its

geographical place, but also due to the mentality of its people. As a result, the people

are maintaining until today the unique and distinctive language, which is derived from

the Aramaic language. This Aramaic dialect, which was the language that Christ was

speaking, its spoken worldwide only by the people of Kormakitis.

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Saint George’s Cathedral

The dear departed Vicar General Ioannis Foradaris cited in details the construction of

the Saint George’s cathedral in his article “The Cathedral and other churches of

Kormakitis”, published in the newspaper of Phileleftheros on the 24th

of April

1991.We are quoting unedited the passage.

“One important development in connection with the churches of Kormakitis village is

noted in 1534. Here is what the historian Douayhi is writing in his book “History of

Times” on page 205. “In 1534 nine enemy boats arrived in Cyprus from the west and

disembarked at the island 500 soldiers, who attacked against the Maronite village of

Kormakitis, they pillaged its churches, they threw the holy oils and the holy mysteries

on the ground and burnt the houses of the villagers.”

In 1534 the inhabitants of the village moved eastern-wise (around ½ mile) and they

built their new village where is situated today. They built a new church consecrated to

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Saint George. This church is the small church near the monastery of the Nuns of Saint

Francis’ Order.

For the next 240 years we have no historical writing concerning the churches of the

Kormakitis village. However, in 1776 we have a notable historical report for the

Maronites of Cyprus and Kormakitis. In 1776 Reverend Bartholomew Skantar, sent a

report to the Maronite Bishop of Cyprus Elias Gemayel (consecrated Bishop of

Cyprus by the Patriarch Joseph Stephano in 1768) concerning the situation of the

Maronites of Cyprus. This report can be found at the 2nd

Report of our Patriarchate

(page 504) at Pkerke of Lebanon. For Kormakitis in particular it’s written: “The

Maronites of the Kormakitis village are 139 together with their priest. The church

named Saint George is dilapidated. Its income is comprised of a few fields for sowing

only.”

For the next 124 years, again we have no historical writing concerning the church of

Saint George. In 1900 the Archbishop of the Maronites in Cyprus Neemet Allah

Selouan visited Cyprus, accompanied by the Vicar General Ioannis Tsirillis from

Kormakitis. Here is what is mentioned in the report of the Archbishop Selouan for the

visit. (This report is at the Archbishop’s Mansion at Kornet Saihouen of Lebanon).

“The Archbishop Selouan bought for £8 sterling a piece of land in Kormakitis village

to build a new church that can seat all the inhabitants”.

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Around 1905, the Bishop of the province Ioannis Tsirillis traveled to Europe (France

and Belgium) where after raising money he managed to gather a considerable amount

of money which he used mainly to found the seat of Bishop in Nicosia and to buy a

big land near the Kormakitis village (the farm Ayios). He also gave some money for

the construction of the Saint George’s cathedral. Around 1910, accompanied by the

Warden Mr Hajimihail Siimi Kotsiapashi (grandfather of Joseph Mihail Hajiroussos,

father of the Representative of Maronites in the House of Representatives Mr Antonis

Hajiroussos), the Bishop of the province Tsirillis visited Lebanon, where, again, after

raising money he gathered a considerable amount that was used for the construction of

the Saint George’s church. Other Wardens who helped the construction of the

Cathedral, besides Hajimihail, were Antonoudis (Antonis Kalamokolou, father of the

mother of the Bishop of the province Ioannis Foradaris), Father Gabriel Nikolaou and

Joseph Kasapis, who was the treasurer of the Church for many years.

Donations – projects for the construction of the Church

For the construction of the new church all the inhabitants of Kormakitis have

generously donated, together with the big donators of the Community of Kormakitis

the unforgettable Hajihannikos Hajilia and Hajitallou Tziovanni Foradari.

For their high donations to the church of Kormakitis, the Archbishop Francis Ayioup

(1943-1954), issued a decree dated 29 October 1952, which is hung in the Saint

George’s cathedral.

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“Decree of the Archbishop Francis Ayioup, dated 29 October 1952.

After a careful study, it is proved that the

Saint George’s Church of Kormakitis

village has the following responsibilities,

as these appear in the book of spiritual

responsibilities of Our Archdiocese.

With these lines we are ordering our

infant the Warden of the above-

mentioned church to execute these

responsibilities at the designated time,

through the Vicar of the Church and to

pay from the Church’s cashier according

to our existing customs of our vicarage.

Number of

Masses

Opinion Time of execution

1 Mass For all the benefactors First Sunday of the year

3 Masses Hajihanniko Hajilia and for his

dead relatives

Each year

3 Masses Hajitallou Tziovanni Foradari

and her dead relatives

Each year

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Besides the above no other responsibility or commitment, before or after, is bounding

this Church, unless it bears our signature and stamp.

Issued by Our Archdiocese at Kornet Siahouan of Lebanon on the 29th

of October

1952.

We also order the hugging of this decree at a prominent place of the Saint George’s

Church.”

The project for the construction of the church was carried out by a Maltese Architect,

named Fenek from Nicosia, who was helped by, the also Maltese engineer, Kafiero.

All the stones needed for the construction of the church were carried from the

locations of Amberati and Vothino of Kormakitis. For the outside walls, they used

stones from Athienou. For the scaffolds they used logs of pine-trees taken from the

areas of Petelia and Myrtou, after obtaining a special permit from the Metropolite of

Kyrenia, to whom these woody areas belonged. The logs were carried in a special

carriage made by the plough of the village Kyriakos Hajiandrea (grandfather of

Kyriakos Elia Aletrari) known as Tzyrkakos.

The construction of the cathedral lasted 33 years (1900-1933). All the inhabitants

generously donated money and building materials (sand, gravel, lime, stones, etc).

Almost all villagers (young and old, women and children) were working during

weekends, in turn, without payment, as workers, stone-cutters, water-carriers, builders

etc.

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The students, each one holding a bag made of cloth, were going to the sea, at the

Kornos’ beach, to carry sand for the church. Every Sunday, the Mass was beginning

after the villagers were carrying enough building materials (stones, sand etc) from the

areas of Vothino and Kornos. A custom reflecting the big enthusiasm of the people of

Kormakitis to build their new Church was the procession of the Christ’s resurrection

Cross around the Church. This was done by the person who donated the highest

amount of money. This money was depositing at the constructing funds.

Every family of the village, in turn, was offering hospitality to the constructor and the

builders of the church, showing the hospitality of our villagers.

On the 23rd

of October 1930 something sad happened. The master-builder together

with his assistant, while they were working, fell and died. This incident delayed for a

while the completion of the project.

The architect Fenek designed the Altar and its manufacture

cost almost £14. The Saint George’s statue on the Altar was

donated by Mr Yioustos Pietroni.

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In 1937, the small bell of the church was manufactured at Payt Siapep of Lebanon and

cost around £27. The western bell of the church was donated by Mr George Tranta

from Larnaka, who brought it from Italy for the cost of £48. The big chandeliers were

donated by the Hajiroussou and Karis’ families.

The consecration of the church

In 1933, the Archbishop of the Maronites in Cyprus Paul Aouet visited Cyprus for the

last time. The construction of the church was almost completed, only the west bell-

tower was missing. So, the Archbishop Paul consecrated this church on the 20th

of

October 1933, in the presence of all the inhabitants of Kormakitis, some other

Maronites, the Maronite clergy, some orthodox from the surrounding villages and

some officers from the British Governing. For the consecration of the Saint George’s

Cathedral the newspaper “Neos Kypriakos Fylax” wrote on the 27th

of October 1933

the following:

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“The consecration of a Maronite church”

Last Sunday morning, after the Mass – in the Syrian language, understandable of

course only to the few priests – took place the consecration ceremony of the Maronite

Saint George’s Church in Kormakitis. The construction of the church begun 20 years

ago under the blessing of the Archbishop Mr Poulos Aouat, one vicar and a chanter

who came for this reason from Syria. The ceremony honored with his presence his

Excellency the Governor-General, as well as the Governor of Kyrenia Mr Dennis and

the Preserver of the Forests Dr Annouin and other British and foreigners. The Mass is

similar to the one of the Orthodox.

After the ceremony the officials were led to the school of the Community, where the

villagers gave a reception for the Governor, whom Mr Prens addressed by a

manuscript, thanking him for the honor of presenting at the consecration ceremony

and expressing the Maronite people’s sadness for his transfer. His Excellency thanked

the Maronite Community for the honorable invitation and congratulated them for the

completion of the construction of the Cathedral. For his transfer from Cyprus, he said

that it was not his will, but decision of the Central Government and that he recognizes

the friendly feelings of the Maronites towards the Government. The Archbishop says

a few words and the reception closes with the British anthem, chanted by the students

of Kormakitis.”

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In 1941, after the initiative of Bishop of the province Ioannis Foradaris, the second

bell-tower and the chanting place were constructed and the terrace outside the church

was extended. The Saint George’s cathedral is so strongly built that during all these

years almost nothing was repaired.

The most important sacred relics are:

(a) A sacred chalice, a gift by Magdalini

Ptaipe from Kampyly. This chalice bears the

graven date of 1878 and can be found today

in the Archdiocese’s museum at Akropolis in Nicosia.

(b) A sacred crown of the dear departed Bishop of the province Ioannis Tsirillis

from Kormakitis.

(c) Two huge bronze candelabra (they weight 150 kilos each)

gift from the unforgettable benefactor of the Kormakitis’ church

Hajitallou Tziovani Foradari (sister of Hajiroussos and Koumis

Foradaris). Her name is graved

on every candelabrum.

(d) Many religious paintings of Saints and Virgin Mary.

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The historical role of the Saint George’s cathedral

With the arrival of the new Vicar General, Bishop of the province Ioannis Foradaris in

1939, the Saint George’s church was nominated as the official cathedral of the

Maronite Community in Cyprus.

On April 23rd

of each year, the day of the great martyr Saint George, the Bishop of the

province Ioannis Foradaris was inviting Governors, Representatives, Ministers, and

Presidents of the Republic to visit Kormakitis and hear the Mass at the cathedral.

Eminent persons who heard the Mass at the Saint George’s cathedral were the

Governor of Cyprus Sir John Harting and Sir Hew Foot, as well as the dear departed

Ethnarch Makarios, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus. For the first time,

historical pictures from the visits of the Governors and the Presidents at Kormakitis

and at the Saint George’s cathedral are published.

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Clergymen who served the Saint George’s Cathedral

Archbishops:

1. Neyemet Allah Selouan (1892 – 1905)

He laid the foundation stone and started the construction of the Church

2. Petros Zoypi (1906 – 1910)

3. Paul Aouat (1911 – 1940) – he consecrated the Church

4. Francis Ayioup (1943 – 1954)

5. Elias Farah (1954 – 1986)

6. Joseph Pisiara (1986 – 1987)

7. Petros Gemayel (1988 – today)

Bishops of the province - Vicar Generals

1. Ioannis Tsirillis, Bishop of the province (1888 – 1925)

2. Joseph Triantafyllides, Vicar General (1925 – 1939)

3. Ioannis Foradaris, Bishop of the province and Vicar General (1939 – 1989)

4. Ioannis Orfanou, Bishop of the province and Vicar General (1989 – today)

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Priests who were officially appointed and served the Saint George’s Cathedral in

Kormakitis

1. Father Kyprianos Hannitsis, from Kormakitis

2. Father Gabriel Nikolaou (Gibrael), from Kormakitis

3. Father Antonios Terzis, from Kormakitis

4. Father Ioannis Pavlou, from Asomatos

5. Father Andreas Katsioloudis, from Kormakitis

6. Father Antonios Fragkiskou, from Kormakitis

Priests who served the Cathedral

1. Father Antonios Zammar: from Asomatos, married. He worked at

Kormakitis for a long time. He became Vicar General from 1829 – 1850.

2. Father Ioannis Zammar: appears at the Kormakitis’ church records in 1820.

3. Father Bernard: appears in 1827.

4. Father Mihail: appears in 1829. He was married.

5. Father Joseph Zammar: appears in 1830. He was married.

6. Father Mihalis Kyrillis: appears in 1850.

7. Father Petros Zammar: worked at Kormakitis in 1859.

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8. Father Joseph Stephanou: worked at Kormakitis in 1865. He was married.

He was the grandfather of Joseph Katsipierou (yero-Arapi).

9. Father Antonios the Cypriot: appears in 1866.

10. Father (Monk) Neemet Allah Sahili. He was monk at the Halepianoi

Maronites Order. He was appointed as Councilor of the Archbishop Joseph

Ziazia and the Archbishop Joseph Zoypi. He had the position of the Vicar

General from 1850 – 1887.

11. The Bishop of the province Ioannis Tsirillis: he was from Kormakitis. He

studied in Rome. He was imposing, pious and eloquent. He was Vicar

General from 1888 – 1925.

12. Father Lavrentios: appears in 1890.

13. Father Niamdalla Zpara.

14. Father Fellas: he was married and he had children and grandchildren.

15. Father Joseph Triantafyllides: he was from Karpasia. He studied in Paris. He

spoke fluently many languages. For four years he was member of the House

of Representatives. He held the position of the Vicar General of the

Maronites in Cyprus from 1925 – 1939.

16. Father Gabriel Nikolaou: from Kormakitis. He was born in 1868. He was

member of the Kalakoutis family, who descended from the large village of

Zodia (Morfou). The name of the ancestors of the family was

Kotsinonikolas. His parents sent him to Lebanon to become a monk. After

he was ordained priest, he left the monastery and became a simple priest

serving our community. He started working at Kormakitis in 1896. He died

in March 1961 at the age of 93.

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17. Father Ignatios Kalakoutis: from Kormakitis. He was born in 1904. His

parents were Mihail and Lenou Kalakouti. When he was baptized he was

given the name Elias. In 1923 he was sent to Lebanon, at the Saint Maronas’

monastery, to become a monk. His body was magnetized by the

underground water, and so he found water in many monasteries. After he

was ordained priest, he returned to Cyprus and he was placed as the Father

Superior of the Maronite monastery of Prophet Elias. He worked as vicar in

Saint Marina and in Karpasia. He died on the 27th

of April 1988 at the age

of 84. He was buried at the Maronites’ cemetery in Anthoupoli.

18. Father Antonios Yiannoudis: appears at Kormakitis in 1900. He was

working without resting at the church’s garden, near the Cathedral.

19. Father Paul Antonis Malahia: monk from Kormakitis.

20. Father Petros Koumi: monk from Kormakitis.

21. Father Ioannis Antoniou: he descended from Saint Marina Skyllouras.

22. Father Antonios Skantar: from Asomatos.

23. Father Hannas Skantar: nickname Mouzomenos. From Saint Marina

Skyllouras.

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24. Father Ioannis Foradari: from Kormakitis. He was born on the 14th

of

November 1909. He studied in Lebanon and at the Gregorian university of

Rome, from where he graduated with distinction. He was ordained priest in

1933. Then, he was appointed as representative of the Patriarch for 2 ½

years and then Professor of the Right of Cannons at the Seminary of the

Maronite Archdiocese in Cyprus. He was Vicar General and Bishop of the

province of the Maronites in Cyprus from 1938 – 1990. In 1960 he built in

Nicosia the modern building with the beautiful church of Virgin Mary of

Hariton at Paphos Gate. He died on the 4th

of May 2000 and buried at

Kormakitis’ cemetery.

25. Father Ioannis Pavlou: appears in 1947. He was from Asomatos. He loved

hunting.

26. Father Michel Nakouzi: Monk from Lebanon. He was a teacher of the

Arabic language for two years 1965 – 1967.

27. Father Jean Haz: Monk from Lebanon. He was a teacher of the Arabic

language for one year 1967 – 1968.

28. Father Joseph Sialfoun: Monk from Lebanon. He was a teacher of the

Arabic language for two years 1968 – 1970.

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29. Father Paul Fratzi Koumi: He was born in Kormakitis in 1938. He was sent

to Lebanon to study at the Seminary of Kaslik. He was ordained priest in

1971. He stayed in different monasteries of the Saint Anthony’s Order of

Lebanon. He learned the Syrian and the Lebanese languages fluently and he

knew Lebanon throughout.

In July 1974 the priest-monk Paul Frantzis Koumi was staying in the

Maronite monastery of the Prophet Elias, which was bombarded. He

abandoned it and traveled to Lebanon. When he returned to Cyprus he took

the responsibility of servicing the churches of Asomatos and Karpasia. He,

also, services the church of Kormakitis, when at village (1990 – today).

30. Father Kyprianos Hannitsis: from Kormakitis. He was born on the 4th

of

November 1889. He studied philosophy and theology at the monastery of

Saint Anthony Kishayia on the north side of Lebanon and afterwards at the

monastery of the Yousta village. He was the vicar of Kormakitis for 50

years. He died on the 25th

of October 1970 and he was buried at the

Kormakitis’ cemetery.

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31. Father Antonios Terzis: from Kormakitis. He was born in 1907 and studied

at the Seminary of “SAINT JOSEPH” in Korne Tsehouan of Lebanon (1923

– 1931). He was ordained priest by the Archbishop Paul Aourat on the 14th

of June 1931 at the age of 24. He worked in Larnaka and Ammohostos for

six months, in Asomatos for nine years and in Kormakitis for 60 years,

having a total priestly service of 71 years. At Kormakitis he worked with

father Kyprianos Hannitsis, father Gabriel Nikolaou, father Andreas

Katsioloudis and father Antonios Fragkiskou.

32. Father Andreas Katsioloudis: from Kormakitis. He studied at the Seminary

of Kaslik in Lebanon. After he was ordained priest, he returned to Cyprus

and he was appointed assistant of father Antonios Terzis. With the events of

1974, he ended up in Limassol, where he worked as a French teacher at

several secondary schools and at the same time he was servicing the

Maronite parish of Polemidia. Father Antonios Katsioloudis worked a lot

for the construction of the Saint Charpel’s church in Limassol.

33. Father Antonios Fragkiskou: from Kormakitis. He was born on the 1st of

November 1935 and he studied at the Saint Joseph’s University of Beirut

and at the Teacher’s Training College in Cyprus. He worked as a teacher

and he was retired when he was principal.

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On the 14th

of December 1997, the Most Reverend Archbishop of the

Maronites in Cyprus Mr Petros Gemayiel, ordained him Deacon and on the

17th

of May 1998, at the age of 63, priest. He is married and has children

and grandchildren. On the 8th

of February 2001, the Most Reverend Petros

Gemayiel, appointed him officially as the Priest in charge at the parish of

Saint George of Kormakitis, replacing the older Vicar Father Antonios

Terzis.

34. Bishop of the province Ioannis Orphanou: The Vicar General of the

Maronites of Cyprus, Bishop of the province Ioannis Orphanou was born in

Asomatos of Kerynia district, on the 10th

of July 1938. He studied at the

Latin Seminary of Athens and then he studied philosophy and theology at

the French University of Beirut, at the Institute of Oriental Studies and at

the Gregorian University of Rome. He was ordained priest on the 7th

of June

1964. In 1984, he was appointed President of the Caritas’ Community of

Cyprus by the Archbishop of the Maronites in Cyprus Elias Farah. In 1987

he was appointed Vicar of the new Parish of Saint Maronas in Anthoupoli.

On the 18th

of June 1989 the Patriarch of the Maronites, Mr Nasrallah Sfeyr,

during his historic visit in Cyprus, nominated him Bishop of the province.

His consecration as the Bishop of province took place on the 3rd

of

September 1989 by the Archbishop of the Maronites in Cyprus Mr Petros

Gemayiel. On the 1st of January 1991, the Archbishop of the Maronites in

Cyprus Mr Petros Gemayiel, nominated him Vicar General of the Maronite

Archdiocese of Cyprus and Vicar of the Cathedral. Position which he still

holds until today.

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Deacons

Elias Antoniou Tereza studied at the Seminary of Lebanon and spoke fluently the

Arabic and Syrian-Aramaic languages. He was chanting at the Cathedral and wearing

a stole like a deacon. He was gathering the Maronite children at his house, where he

was teaching them the Maronite chanting of the Vesper and the Mass.

Elias Ant. Yiorki – Diakos studied at the Seminary of Lebanon and ordained Deacon.

He did not finish his studied and therefore he was not ordained priest. He returned to

Cyprus and got married. He was helping the priests of the church chanting and

reading. He spoke fluently Arabic and Syrian-Aramaic.

Great Benefactors of the Cathedral

1. Hajitallou Tziovanni Foradari: she donated 2 big candlesticks (candelabra)

and all her immovable property. Benefit: the Church dedicates to her three

Masses every year forever.

2. Hajihannikos: he donated all his immovable property. Benefit: the Church

dedicates to him three Masses every year forever.

3. Antonios Ioannou Malahia: he donated a big plastic statue of The Saint

Anthony of Padoui.

4. Koumis Mihail Poyiatzis: he donated the crib, where Christ was born,

plastic models of Joseph, Virgin Mary, the Holy Infant, the Magi, the

shepherds and all the animals.

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5. Mari Sarrydi: she donated the statue of the Sacred Heard of Christ and of

the Saint Theresia of the Infant Christ.

6. Yioustos Pietronis: he donated the statue of Saint George, which is placed

on the Altar.

7. Joseph Antoniou Kasapis: he donated the railing that separate the main

cathedral form the sanctuary, the baldachin of the epitaph, the statue of

Virgin Mary which is placed on the Virgin Mary’s Podium. He also covered

with marble the floor of the Saint George’s church near the Nuns’

Monastery.

8. Mihail Joseph Kalakouti: besides his pro bono service at the church for

many years (President and Treasurer of the Church Committee), in 2002 he

renovated the Virgin Mary’s chapel in Kormakitis.

9. Vicar General – Bishop of the province Ioannis Foradaris’ Charitable

Institution: renovated in 2003 the Saint George’s chapel at the Kornos’

beach

10. Thomas Elia Hannatzias: He donated a land of 6 donums at the Kypos’

location.

11. Bishop of province Ioannis Foradaris: he donated a land of 18 donums at the

location of the waterfall.

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Sacred relics and paintings at the Saint George’s Cathedral

In the Saint George’s Cathedral there is a respectable number of paintings and sacred

relics. Believers of the church have donated many of the paintings to the church.

Some of them are quite old, dated back to the 12th

and 13th

century. In this book we

are presenting the most important paintings and sacred relics.

The Holy Family Virgin Mary holding the Lily

Saint Maronas Saint Maronas

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Prophet Elias Virgin Mary Breastfeeding

Saint George

(13-14th

century)

Saint Ioannis Maronas

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Saint George (18th

century) Saint George (18th

century)

The Risen Christ The Saint Romanos o Melodos

(13th

century)

(- 40 -)

The Great Saint Anthony and

Saint Artemios

The Holy Trinity

Archangel Michael Saint Katherine

(- 41 -)

Saint Ioannis

Prodromos

Prophet Elias

Saint Artemios Saint Joseph with Christ

(- 42 -)

The Saint George’s statue The Crucified Christ

The Saint Anthony of Padoui’s

statue

The statue of Saint Joseph with

Christ

(- 43 -)

The statue of the sore Virgin

Mary

The statue of the Christ’s

Sacred Heart

Saint Theresia’s statue Virgin Mary’s statue

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Archangel Michael’s statue

The dead Christ’s statue

Silver hanging oil-lamp of 1936

Donation of Filou Hajiroussou

Silver hanging oil-lamp of 1936

Donation of Annetta Hajiroussou

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Chapels and monasteries

In Kormakitis’ village, as well as in the surrounding areas, there are many churches

and a Nuns’ monastery in the center of the village. Many chapels are in good

condition and can be officiated. Unfortunately, the most of them have been destroyed.

A brief description of each one is following:

(a) The Monastery of the Nuns of the Saint Francis’s Order

The monastery is situated at the

center of the village. Saint

George’s church (of nuns) is in

the center of the yard. The

Franciscan Father Samuel Djiuce

laid the foundation stone on the

27th

of April 1936. The inhabitants of the village paid for the expenses of

constructing this church.

.

(- 46 -)

(b) Saint George’s Church (Nuns)

The church is situated at the center

of the village, in the yard of the

Nun’s Monastery. It is estimated that

it was constructed during the 16th

century. The roof is arched and the walls are built with stones and mortar. In

the inside walls there are faint marks of religious paintings. There was also a

bell-tower, which unfortunately was destroyed. It has two big, wooden, brown

doors, one on the north side and the other on the west side of the church. On

the one flap of the western door it’s written in Greek the date of 1934 and on

the other the date of 1934 in Arabic

and the Syrian sentence: “targo

trahme ou tahnoto ftahlan moro

prahmono”, which means “Open

Lord the door of your compassion

and your mercy”. The

villagers were having the

Mass in this church until

1936, when the Saint

George’s cathedral

officiated. Since then, the

church is only used for

the Mass and the prayers of the Nuns of the Monastery.

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(c) Virgin Mary’s Chapel

It is situated at the west side of

Kormakitis and it was

constructed in 1453 A.D. In

the old times it had religious

paintings (which were

destroyed). On the east side of the chapel there

was a cemetery. Inside the chapel there are a

glass case with the statue of Virgin Mary holding

the Christ, a small podium for the Mass,

candelabra, benches, pictures of Christ, of Virgin

Mary and of some Saints.

(d) The chapel of Saint George of the seed

It is situated at Kornos’ beach of Kormakitis. The

people of Kormakitis turn to this chapel and they pray to

the Saint in order to mediate to God for them and give them rains during the dry

seasons. Many generation of the people of Kormakitis have celebrated and still

celebrating on the 3rd

of November the name day of Saint George of the seed. In the

chapel there is a small podium for the Mass.

The following-mentioned chapels do not exist today. There are only marks showing

that these chapels existed once.

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(a) The Church of Saint Ioannis Maronas

On the south side of Kormakitis there is a location named “AYIOS”. In the old

days, it used to be a big estate. At that location it was constructed the Saint

Ioannis Maronas’ Monastery for monks. Its church was dedicated to Saint

Ioannis Maronas. The Bishop of the province Ioannis Tsirillis was having the

Mass at that church very often. The monastery had 28 rooms, 2 warehouses, 3

sheep-fords, 1 oven and 2 apiaries. During the decades of 1950 and 1960 the

monastery and the church were completely destroyed.

(b) The mar-Tadro chapel (Saint Theodor)

On the south side of Kormakitis, where the house of Joseph Koumettos Sarrou

(Mouhtarouis) is built, there was a cemetery. There was an orthodox chapel of

Saint Theodor (mar-Tadro). Until today, only the semi-circle shape of the

Altar and the walls of stone of the chapel are saved. Some people placed there

the picture of Saint Marina and they renamed the chapel to Saint Marina’s

chapel. They light candles and they pray to Saint Marina to help their children

sleep.

(c) Saint Kournouta’s chapel

It is situated at the Kouroutas’ location near the village of Kormakitis. There

are still stones showing the existence of the church of Saint Kournoutas. The

Saint is celebrated on the 19th

of September.

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(d) The Prophet Elias’ chapel

It is situated at the area of Patsalies. The name of the area derives from the

church of Prophet Elias, which was built there (Pant-Saint-Lies).

(e) The chapel of Saint Mavri

The villagers also call it Mar-Yapta. It is situated

at Saint Mavri’s location. It is celebrated on the

3rd

of May and in the old days there was a one-

day festivity.

(f) The Saint Martha’s chapel

At the area named “O Trimithos” in Kormakitis,

there was a chapel. The old people of Kormakitis

claim that this chapel was dedicated to Saint

Martha.

(g) The chapel of Saint Nikodemos

It is situated at the location named Laotrypes and its ruins exist until today.

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(h) The chapels of Prophet Elias and Archangel Michael

On the south side of Kormakitis, a

Maronite noblewoman had a big estate,

at which she built together with other

buildings a chapel of stones and mortar,

dedicated to Prophet Elias. From the

name Pait-Elies, the estate took the name of “Petelia”. They also built a second

chapel dedicated to Archangel Michael. The existing stones show the

existence of these two chapels.

(i) The chapel of John the Baptist

At the location “Sierissa (Siaries)” of

Kormakitis, there was a house with a

long basement, steps of stone that led to

the upper floor “attic with a sun-porch

and two rooms”, yard, water well,

cistern and fields with trees. A little

further, there were the ruins of a chapel dedicated to John the Baptist

(celebrated on the 24th

of June). The people of Kormakitis named that location

“Naoi”. At the area of the chapel, tombs were found with funeral gifts inside.

(- 51 -)