The Monastery of our Lady of Machairas, or as we all know it, the Machairas Monastery, is built a little bit under the highest peak of the Kionia mountain, perched on steep slopes belonging to the woods of Machairas, in an amazing green environment.
In order to get to the monastery coming from Kapedes, you pass a helical track that tests your capacities and patience as a driver. One beautiful valley successes another, getting to the point where the golden eagle of Machairas is found, and then you come to face the monastery on the opposite slope with awe.
You can see thousands of believers. From Cyprus, Greece, and also thousands coming from Russia to fill the Monastery’s courtyard daily.
The monastery itself is a real fortress. The spaces where the monks deacon as well as the spaces where they rest or retreat are inviolate and isolated from the curious regards and presence of the pilgrims.
The Machairas’ Holy Monastery gave a lot to the Greek People of Cyprus. This is the area chosen by the most worthy child of Cyprus to “nest”. His hideout is well rooted in the Greek Cypriot land, it welcomed him in fires and protected him for ever from the dishonest hands of the English occupiers. A Greek flag, a few laurel wreaths and a photograph of him are found in the far end of the hideout. They keep company to the Golden Eagle of Machairas and to his fellows who have been hung. It is said that a shepherd betrayed him. Is this what really happened? I do not believe so. In order to find out the truth we should search the rivalries and conflicts taken place in EOKA during that period. Who betrayed Grigoris Afxentiou?
