Cyprus worshippers mark Assumption of the Virgin Mary at Paphos monasteries

Paphos, Cyprus. Hundreds of worshippers from across Cyprus gathered at monasteries in the Paphos district on Saturday to mark the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a major date in the Orthodox Christian calendar.

Large crowds attended services at Panayia Chrysorroyiatissa monastery in the village of Panayia and Ayios Neophytos monastery, where celebrations included liturgies and processions.

Chrysorroyiatissa service

Bishop Pankratios of Arsinoe, abbot of Chrysorroyiatissa monastery, presided over the service and Divine Liturgy for the feast.

Addressing worshippers, he spoke about humility in Christian life, saying that people “must humble ourselves for our spiritual struggle to have value”.

Speaking to reporters, Pankratios described the Assumption as the “Easter of the summer”, a traditional term reflecting the feast’s significance to Orthodox Christians.

He said the feast represented the Christian belief in the victory of life over death, referring to the tombs of Christ in Jerusalem and the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Mary.

Pankratios also referred to the Cyprus problem, expressing hope that the Virgin Mary would help the island and calling on worshippers to pray while making their own efforts towards a solution.

Celebrations at Chrysorroyiatissa included the traditional procession of an icon depicting the Assumption.

Ayios Neophytos celebrations

Services were also held at Ayios Neophytos monastery, dedicated to the Virgin Mary under the title Panayia Enkleistriani.

Bishop Leontios of Chytri, the monastery’s abbot, presided over the Divine Liturgy after celebratory vespers held on the eve of the feast.