Responsible for the reconstruction of the Exarchy in Cyprus: the Metropolitan of Vostra Timotheus
Holy Monastery of Saint John the Chrysostom. 26, Lydras and Apollonos. Office No. 40, Nicosia 1010.
Telefax: +357-22-670626, Tel: +357-24646510, Mobile: +357-99-220090
Website: www.exarhiaptcy.com

The spiritual radiance of the Holy Lands reaches out to the whole Christian world. Even since the very first Christian years, it has been acting as a God-inspired magnet which has been attracting the reverence and the wish of Christians from all over the world to come on a pilgrimage to the Most Holy Shrines and the sacred sites. At these sites, our Lord hallowed, in order for us to receive Grace. A lot of Cypriot pilgrims have visited the Holy Land from the first centuries up to present day. In time, the unbreakable relation between the believers and the All Holy Shrines initiated several visits of the the All Holy Sepulchre’s clergy to Cyprus. Epiphanius of Salamis, who had been a disciple of the Great Ascetic Hilarion, moved to Cyprus and set there the basis of Monasticism.
A live example of the spiritual relationship between the Church of Cyprus and the Holy Land continues today to be the piece of the Holy Cross, which was brought to Megalonisos by Saint Helena on her sail to “the Queen of Cities” by miraculous intervention. Moreover, some Cypriot believers became permanent residents of the Holy Land and built also several monasteries there. One of the most important monastery today is the Monastery of the Saints John and George Hozevites, founded by the same saints in the 4th century B.C.
According to historical records, after Jerusalem was occupied by the crusaders, the Patriarch of Jerusalem Symeon was exiled to Cyprus, where he died. The tribulations of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre that followed, and Cyprus’ struggle to defend the Most Holy Shrines contributed to the strengthening of the relation between Cyprus and the Holy Land. In the 15th century, the famous Monastery of Chrysostom was donated to the Church of Jerusalem. Saint Neophytes the Recluse, who later became a great ascetic and master of the monastic state in Cyprus, lived as a monk in this monastery.
The occurrence of “fraternities” and the establishment of “Commissioners” of the Church of Jerusalem in Cyprus date back to the above mentioned period. The "fraternities" and the "commissioners" were established in order to collect money and goods for the support of the All Holy Shrines and the representation of Jerusalem Patriarchate in the Church of Cyprus' Ecclesiastic Authority. The “Commissioners”, who were later on called “Exarchs”, added an additional task among their duties, namely the supervision and administration of the Jerusalem Patriarchate's landed property in Cyprus. At the exarchy have officiated outstanding clerics. Among these, worth to mention are the Hegumen of the Holy Monastery of Barbara, the Hieromonk Sofronios, who was executed by the Turks in 1829 and the Archimandrite Makarios, Exarch of the All Holy Sepulchre, murdered in 1901.
Monasteries of the Exarchy of Cyprus, which belong to the Jerusalem Patriarchate. Each of these monasteries is registered in the Land and Property Register under the Greek-Orthodox Jerusalem Patriarchate.

The appointment of an Exarch in Cyprus aims at and should contribute to the strengthening of the relation between the Jerusalem Patriarchate and His Beatitude Archbischop of Cyprus, the Hierarchs and generally the Ecclesiastic Headship of Cyprus' Archdiocese. It should be noted that the Exarchy exists many years now under the permission and the consent of the Cyprus' Archdiocese as well as the consent of each one of the archpriests at the Eparchies where the Exarchy retains part of its property.
The mandatory permanent stay of the All-Holy Sepulchre’s clerics in the Exarchy of Cyprus enables the communication with the faithful orthodox Cypriots a) through participation to the official divine liturgies and events of the Archdiocese and the Metropolies, whenever they are invited, b) through the sermon during which references are made to the All Holy Shrines of our Faith c) through events where the multidimensional work of the Brotherhood and outstanding personalities of the All Holy Sepulchre is demonstrated and d) through the coordination of the official collection of the believers' donations so as to guarantee their safe shipment to the sacred centre of the Jerusalem Patriarchate. The Exarch, as the representative of the Jerusalem Patriarchate should: a. be chosen among the clerics of the All Holy Sepulchre, b. celebrate divine liturgy ceaselessly at the Holy Monasteries and the Metochia of the All Holy Sepulchre (the ones that are accessible under current conditions), c. manage with honesty the real estate which is located in Cyprus and give detailed report to the Patriarch and the Holy and Sacred Synod about any problems which might arise around it, e) see to the recovery of damages that might occur and f) defend the interests of the Exarchy and the Jerusalem Patriarchate before the governmental, municipal and other authorities.
Apart from the maintenance of the already existing real estate, the Exarchy intends to erect a new building today with the encouragement and blessing of His Beatitude, the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilus III and the consent of His Beatitude the Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostom II. The new building of approximately eight hundred square meters will be build on a plot which is under the ownership of the Exarchy and aims to house the Exarchy's offices and reception halls for its guests. Furthermore, the Exarchy plans to build a small church for celebrating divine liturgy and blessing the worshipers, to maintain the old building of the Exarchy and reconstruct the small building that was burned down 30 years ago.