Overview

The Timios Stavros Church in Omodos, with a desire to preserve its valuable relics dating back to the medieval era, has established a state-of-the-art Ecclesiastical Museum which has been open to the public since March 1, 2009. The museum is housed in the ground floor rooms of the northwest wing of the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Omodos and was made possible through the generosity of the Anastasios Leventis Foundation. Visitors can marvel at the extensive collection of Byzantine icons, ornately crafted gospels, hand-written manuscripts, Russian epitaphs, gold-plated lanterns, vestments, priestly belts, silver reliquaries, and other treasures of the Orthodox faith that have been meticulously preserved by the church officials and community of Omodos throughout the centuries. Additionally, Omodos has been home to a Museum of Byzantine Icons since October 1960, and all of the displayed icons have been transferred to the newly established Ecclesiastical Museum. Among the oldest and most remarkable works of art on display are: -Exquisitely crafted Byzantine icons -1769 and 1728 ancient gospels -Old books including monthly editions from the 16th to 19th century with hand-written notes -The grand Russian sepulchral with golden embroidery -Gilded wooden lamps and gospel stands -Beautifully crafted communion cups and holy vessels -Ancient holy canons, belt fasteners, and clerical belts -Silver reliquaries -Icons of Apostle Philip (1528 AD), John the Baptist (1570 AD), St. John the Theologian (15th or 16th century), St. Peter (16th century), St. Paul, Archangel Gabriel (16th century), the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (1664 AD), and Saint Philip (1773 AD) with a portrait of Bishop Panaretos of Paphos offering the Holy Head of Apostle Philip in a gilded reliquary. -St. John the Baptist (1830 AD) -An 18th century icon of Christ in an iconostasis chest."