Saint Cyprus Icon
of the Most Holy Theotokos.

The prototype of this holy icon manifested itself in the year 392 on the island of Cyprus. According to Orthodox tradition, the icon appeared as a miraculous manifestation on the island that had already become a center of Christian devotion. The original icon's appearance was marked by divine attestation, as it testified to the faith of the people of Cyprus and their veneration of the Mother of God.

The icon embodies the Panachrana iconographic type, in which the Mother of God is depicted sitting on a throne with the Divine Infant in Her arms, with an angel on either side of Her. This majestic depiction reflects the royal dignity of the Theotokos and the infinite mercy of the Mother of God toward her suppliants.

The Cyprus Icon has been preserved and venerated in multiple locations throughout the Orthodox world. The prototype of the icon is believed to have manifested itself in 392 AD in the city of Larnaca on the island of Cyprus, at the tomb of the Righteous Lazarus. The icon was housed in Stavrovouni Monastery that had been built on the place of the icon's discovery. Over centuries, numerous copies of this icon have been made and distributed throughout Orthodox Christian communities in Greece, Russia, and the Middle East.

Since time immemorial, when drought threatened—a common peril in Cyprus's scorching climate—Cypriots would carry their miraculous icon of the Mother of God to one of the peaks of the Troodos range. There, they would place it upon a wooden throne and beseech Her to send life-giving rain. Thus, an entire mountain became the altar of the Blessed Virgin.

The Cyprus Icon became renowned for its wonderworking power and miraculous healings. During the week of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, the Greek Synaxarion has an account of an icon which is probably the Cyprus Icon. On the island of Cyprus a certain Arab was passing by a church dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos. In order to display his hatred for Christianity, the man shot an arrow at an icon of the Mother of God which hung by the gate. The arrow struck the Virgin's knee, from which blood began to flow. Overcome with fear, the Arab spurred his horse and rode for home, but was struck dead before he could get there.

The \"Stromyn\" Cyprus Icon became famous in 1841. An eighteen-year-old girl from Stromyn, a village not far from Moscow, was close to death from an illness. In a dream she saw the Cyprus Icon standing over the entrance to the church, and a voice came from the icon: \"Take me into your home and have the priest serve a Molieben with the Blessing of Water, and you will be cured.\" The girl obeyed the command of the Most Holy Theotokos, and after the Molieben she felt strong enough to carry the icon back to the church herself.

From ancient times up to the present day, those afflicted by every sort of infirmity flock to the monastery of the Mother of God the Merciful, and they receive healing according to their faith. Copies of the Kykkos Icon of the Mother of God have spread throughout the Orthodox world. Today, prayers ascend to her in Greece, the Middle East, and Russia.

The Cyprus Icon has multiple liturgical commemorations in the Orthodox Church calendar, reflecting its profound importance to the faithful. The Cyprus Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is commemorated on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, Pentecost Monday, April 20 and July 9, in addition to the primary feast on May 22. Renowned copies of the Cyprus Icon are at Moscow's Dormition Cathedral, and in the Nikolo-Golutvin church in the village of Stromyn, Moscow diocese. The icon continues to be venerated throughout the Orthodox world as a powerful intercessor and source of healing grace for all who approach it with faith and devotion.

The Cyprus Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is a Panachrana-type icon in which the Mother of God is depicted sitting on a throne with the Divine Infant in Her arms, with an angel on either side of Her. The prototype of this holy icon manifested itself in the year 392 on the island of Cyprus, and it has been venerated as a wonderworking icon throughout Orthodox Christian history.

According to Orthodox tradition, during the week of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, an Arab passing by a church dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos shot an arrow at an icon of the Mother of God which hung by the gate. The arrow struck the Virgin's knee, from which blood began to flow. Overcome with fear, the Arab spurred his horse and rode for home, but was struck dead before he could get there. In this way the integrity of the holy icon testified to divine protection.

The \"Cleansing\" Cyprus Icon was in another monastery on Cyprus, and was famous for healing many people with diseases of the eyes. Some copies of the Cyprus Icon have additional names such as \"Cleansing,\" \"Knife,\" and \"Hawk.\" The \"Stromyn\" Cyprus Icon became famous in 1841 when an eighteen-year-old girl from Stromyn, a village not far from Moscow, was close to death from an illness. In a dream she saw the Cyprus Icon standing over the entrance to the church, and a voice came from the icon telling her to take it home and have the priest serve a Molieben with the Blessing of Water. The girl obeyed the command of the Most Holy Theotokos, and after the Molieben she felt strong enough to carry the icon back to the church herself.

The Cyprus Icon has multiple feast days in the Orthodox Church calendar. The Cyprus Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is commemorated on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, Pentecost Monday, April 20 and July 9, in addition to the primary feast day of May 22. From ancient times up to the present day, those afflicted by every sort of infirmity flock to the monastery of the Mother of God the Merciful, and they receive healing according to their faith.