The Maronites of Cyprus

8 Byzantine Era: The first appearance of Maronites in Cyprus dates to the late 7th century (686 AD), during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian II – the Maronites arrived on the island in flight from Arab raids and religious clashes in Syria and Lebanon. Cyprus became a safe haven for the Maronites, who continued to arrive on the island up until the early 8th century, choosing to immigrate to Cyprus whenever they faced severe pressure from their religious opponents. In 938 AD, after the Arab destruction of Saint Maron’s Monastery in Apamea, Syria, a large wave of Maronites left the region for a number of neighbouring countries, amongst them Cyprus; it was also during this period that the Maronite Patriarchate was relocated to Lebanon. In 1090 the Maronites established a monastery dedicated to Saint John the Chrysostom in the village of Koutsovendis in the Kyrenia district. Frankish Era: A large wave of Maronites immigrated to the island in the late 12th century, after the purchase of Cyprus by the Frankish King of Jerusalem, Guy de Lusignan, in 1192. The Frankish King, who wished to establish a Western-type feudal kingdom on the island, encouraged the settlement of Maronites to bolster the Catholic presence on the island, but also to use them as military garrisons. The Maronites enjoyed special privileges under this administration and their number increased to about 60.000. In 1224 they resided in 62 villages, mainly around the Pentadactylos mountain range. By the early 14th century, their number increased to about 80.000 in 72 villages, many of which they founded themselves. During the Frankish Era, Maronites established the Monastery of Saint George of Attalou in the Kharcha region on the Pentadactylos mountain range. It was also during this period that the Maronite Archbishopric of Cyprus was established, with Nicosia as its seat (1316). A Brief History THE MARONITES OF CYPRUS ● The chapel of the Virgin Mary in Kambyli.