Draft:Monastery of Agios Minas

The holy monastery of Agios Minas was and still functions as a monastery dedicated to Saint Minas (also spelled Menas) on the island of Cyprus, located 2 kilometers from Vavla within the Larnaka district. Today, the monastery is utilized by monks and tourists. Though the time of its construction is not known, its existence was first written in the Paris Codex of 1562. The monastery itself is a blend of different architectural themes consitisting of Byzantine and Gothic styles. It consists of a church, clousiters, and other monastic buildings. Stored within the monastery is a gospel created in Venice in 1606, where you can read about the daily life within the monastery.

Renovations took place in the 18th century with many notable feature being added. In 1754, the covenant was renovated and decorated with wooden icons. Three years later in 1757, two large paintings on the north and south wall of Agios Georgios (Saint George) and Agios Minas were completed. During the late 18th century, the monastery finished its major renovation and renewal. However, it fell into disrepair and was abandoned during the 19th century following the Greek War of Independence in 1821.

In 1964, a revival of the monastery took place where locals and nuns funded the renovation. Today, the monastery continues to function along side as a toursit attraction. The monks and nuns living within the monastery practice icon oil painting and fruit selling in order to fund the monastic community.