Located in Analiondas is an important Ecclesiastical Museum which hosts old icons and holy heirlooms from the church of Agia Marina. In particular, the exhibits of the Museum, which are dated back to the period between the 16th and the 20th century, include portable icons, old book editions, vestments, holy utensils, dossals, as well as other ecclesiastical objects of folk art. What is also worth mentioning is that the Ecclesiastical Museum was created after an initiative was taken by the Ecclesiastical Committee of Analionda and the Metropolitan Bishop of Tamasos and Oreini, Isaias.
Portable Icons
Presented below are some of the icons which are on display at the Ecclesiastical Museum:
16th century icon: One of the oldest icons of the Ecclesiastical Museum is the icon ofArchangel Michael. This icon was created in around the middle of the 16th century.
17th century icons: These include the icon of Agios Nicolaos and the icon of Panagia Vrefokratousa. These two icons present similarities as far as the colour of the Saints’ flesh is concerned but are different as far as the size of the figures is concerned.
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19th century icons: These include the icons of Agios Tryfonas and the icon of Saints Timotheos and Mavris, which constitute works of art created by the School of Ioannis Cornaros of Kritos. With regards to the technique used by the aforementioned School, the three-page leaflet mentions the following: “The conceited art of Cornaros with the distinctive full-bodied figures and the rich colour combinations will impress the local and ecclesiastical ruling class of the island during the 19th century”. A canvas oil-painting which depicts the holy pilgrimages at the Holy Land is also dated back to the 19th century.20th century icons: Most of the icons are dated back to the beginning of the 20th century and the majority of them were created by Neophytos N. Zografou. Old books Particularly important are the old books displayed at the Museum which were published during the period between the 18th and the 20th century and originate from the printing centers of Venice. Among the books of the Museum are Gospels and Issues containing manuscript notes.
Other exhibits
Also displayed at the Museum is a textile dossal which, according to the three-page leaflet of the Museum, was designed in 1802 by Ioannis Cornaro and was reprinted in 1860. Moreover, there are ritual deacon and priests’ garments, a 19th century silver Benedictine cross and a communion cup dated back to the 20th century.
Finally, at the Museum one also gets to admire some folk art objects including three corves and a limestone-made bottle. What is also noteworthy is that according to the leaflet two of the corves bear engravings of years while the third one bears stamps. One of the corves bears an engraving of the year 1725, while the other one of the year 1682. The last corf bears three round stamps with a text. “It is assumed that these stamps are in fact the stamps of the manufacturer”.
Source:
Three-page leaflet of the Ecclesiastical Museum, Holy Bishopric of Tamasos and Oreini
District: Nicosia
Postal Address: Costa Street Chalouva PC 2641 Analyontas
Accreditation: Metropolis Tamasos and Oreinis & Church of Agia Marina Analiontas
Operation Period: All year
Hours: The museum is open daily after one days notice.
Facilities: Parking is available near the museum. The museum is partly accessible for people in wheelchairs. There are no restrooms facilities available at nearby cafes. There is a brochure which is given free of charge to guests of the museum (Greek). There is a small shop where guests can buy souvenirs such as books about the history of the museum and costs 10 euros (Greek). Transactions in cash only.
Website / Email: www.imtamasou.org.cy / pdiakonia@imtamasou.org.cy, grammateia@imtamasou.org.cy,
Telephone / Fax: Father Zenon Paradeisiotis: 00357-99643732, Michael Parelion: 00357-99496600 and Angela Nicholas: 00357-22542482 / –
Fee: Admission is free. Accepted voluntary contributions.
Supply Fee: –
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