THE MAGARAVANK
The Armenian monastery of Sourp Magar is situated within Plataniotissa forest, about 1½ Km to the west of Halevga, at an altitude of 530 m. Its vast land (nearly 8.500 donums, extending up to the seashore) includes 30.000 olive and carob trees. From the idyllic site of the monastery, one can gaze the Taurus mountain range in Cilicia, especially during the winter. The monastery was originally founded around the year 1000 AD in memory of Saint Makarios the Hermit of Alexandria († 395 AD), who according to tradition had spent some time in the region as an ascetic. By 1425, the monastery came to the possession of the Armenian Church, with monks known for following very strict rules of ascetic life and religious penitence. During the Ottoman Era, it was known as the Blue Monastery, because of the blue colour of its doors and window blinds. It was a popular pilgrimage site and a way station for travellers en route to the Holy Land, such as Hovsep Shishmanian ("Dzerents"): in 1875, inspired by the outline of the distant Taurus mountain range, he wrote the historical novel Toros. Levoni
The Magaravank served for centuries as a retreat for Catholicoi of Cilicia and clergymen from Cilicia and Jerusalem, with which it maintained close relations. Amongst these, it is worth mentioning Mekhitar of Sebaste, founder of the Mekhitarist Order, who came there in 1695 to convalesce from malaria. In 1901 the students of the National Educational Orphanage erected a monument to honour his visitand the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Mekhitarist Order. In 1642 a firman excluded the monastery from taxation; its terms were renewed in 1660 and1701. In 1735 renovations were allowed, and in 1811 a permit was granted for building a chapel, completed in 1814. The monastery was restored in 1929 and between 1947-1949, while its square was constructed in 1933 by commission of Catholicos Sahag II. On 12 June 1966, Archbishop Makarios III visited the monastery and on this occasion planted a tree in its yard. Following the Hamidian massacres (1894-1896), some Armenian refugees found refuge at the Magaravank. The National Educational Orphanage, operated by Vahan Kurkjian between 1897-1904 (also known as "Pagouran"), had its summer sessions within the monastery estate, which was also used as a summer resort and a camping site for Armenian scouts and students, including students of the Melkonian Educational Institute, many of whom were orphans of the Armenian Genocide. Until 1974, a large number of Armenian-Cypriots families resided in the monastery or in houses in its surrounding area during the weekends and holidays. A major problem was the lack of water. In 1948 a successful borehole (about 300-400 m south of the monastery) was drilled thanks to the efforts of Kapriel Kasbarian, who also donated funds for the erection of the "Archangels" fountain. In 1949, the Marashlian family donated the water distribution network and the electricity generator. A large number of exquisite and priceless manuscripts (the oldest dating back to 1202 and the newest to 1740), as well as other valuable ecclesiastical vessels were kept at the Magaravank. In 1947, 56 manuscripts were transferred to the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias; other vessels were brought to Nicosia for safe-keeping, while some icons perished in the invasion.
The Magaravank was occupied during the second phase of the Turkish invasion (14-16 August 1974). The occupying forces used it to house illegal settlers and military officers; the complex was heavily damaged by a fire in February 1997. Between 1998-1999, the occupying regime intended to turn it into a hotel; as a result of organised reactions, this unholy plan was averted. By initiative of the Armenian Representative, Mr Vartkes Mahdessian, in co-operation with the Armenian Prelature, the first pilgrimage took place on 6 May 2007, with the participation of about 250 people; a second pilgrimage was organised again on 10 May 2009, with the participation of 200 people, while the third is taking place today, 9 May 2010. Left at the mercy of nature and vandals, silent, semi-ruined, desecrated and deserted, the Magaravank patiently awaits for its rightful owners and pilgrims to return in peace...
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