Tsakistra, Cyprus, November 28, 2025
Photo: Orthodoxia News Agency
The miraculous Icon of the Mother of God of Kykkos was carried in procession from its monastery for only the fourth time in history on November 22, marking the first such procession in 35 years. The sacred image was brought out to petition for an end to the prolonged drought afflicting Cyprus.
Following a decision by the brotherhood of the Holy Royal and Stavropegic Monastery of Kykkos, an All-Night Vigil was celebrated on Friday evening to Saturday morning. During the services, prayers and supplications were offered to the Most Holy Theotokos to intercede with her Son and God for “peaceful rains for the refreshment and fruitfulness of the earth,” reports the Orthodoxia News Agency.
The services began with Vespers at 8 PM on Friday, followed by the Akathist to the Theotokos, Midnight Office, Matins, and Divine Liturgy, concluding with the procession of the wonderworking Icon of Eleusa of Kykkos at 2 PM the following day. The icon was processed to Throni, a nearby peak.
Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
Metropolitan Nikiforos of Kykkos and Tylliria presided over the services and procession, joined by Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamasos and Oreini, the monastery fathers, numerous clergy, and thousands of faithful from across Cyprus. The Byzantine Choir of Chanters of the Holy Monastery of Kykkos and a group of fathers from Machairas Monastery chanted the hymns.
In his sermon, Met. Nikiforos noted that during periods of drought throughout history, Cyprus’ inhabitants turned to the intercession of the “rain-bearing” Panagia of Kykkos, who during the Latin period was characteristically called “St. Mary of the Rain.” According to Ottoman documents and accounts by foreign travelers, the sacred icon was processed both to Throni and to villages and cities, with prayers and supplications offered for rain.
The Metropolitan recounted historical instances of the icon’s rain-bringing power, including an incident during Ottoman rule when a satrap threatened to burn the icon and execute the abbot if rain didn’t come within days. After the abbot’s tearful prayers before the icon, a small cloud appeared on the horizon, the sky darkened, and heavy rain fell, endangering the satrap and his men. The impressed official then granted permission for the icon to be processed throughout the island without hindrance.
Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr
Another significant procession occurred in 1887 when the icon was transferred to the Metochion of St. Prokopios in Nicosia, where tradition holds that torrential rain began falling as soon as the icon entered the church.
The most recent procession before this one took place in December 1990, when the icon was brought to Throni with prayers for an end to drought threatening the island at that time.
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