Description

The beautiful village of Menoiko is located 20 km west of the capital city, between the villages of Paliometocho, Akaki and Peristerona.

While strolling around Menoiko one encounters the well-known church of Agios Kyprianos and Agia Ioustini with its imposing bell-tower, the old and modern housing which create a harmonic combination of traditional neighbourhoods with houses of popular architecture and modern neighbourhoods with houses of contemporary architecture.

Continuing one's stroll, they will reach the Akaki river with the magical images created as the water levels rise, the remains of old water mills, cultivations including citrus fruit, vegetables, olive trees, grains, as well as some age-long olive trees.

The archaeological site of the village testifies that the village area had been inhabited since the very ancient years. In particular, excavations revealed a small agricultural chancel with many clay idols dated back to the 6th century B.C and which was dedicated to god Vaal-Ammonas. According to the Great Cyprus Encyclopaedia, this god identified with the Cypriot god who protected shepherds and farmers, something which suggests that the area was inhabited by farmers and live-stock breeders and that the Phoenicians had a great influence as far as worshipping the particular god was concerned.

Later on, during the reign of King Peter I, the village constituted a fief which belonged to the nobleman Eric de Givlet. Next, it became a fief of Hugh de Lousignan, son of Phivos de Lousignan, who was a member of the royal family of Cyprus.

During the Turkish occupation (1571-1878), the village was inhabited by Turks who left later on it (Menoiko) Menoiko, as Karouzis observes, stands one of the few Orthodox churches dedicated to Agios Kyprianos and Agia Ioustini.

Nowadays, the name-day of the two Saints is celebrated on October 2nd and hordes of worshippers come, from all over Cyprus, to worship the two Saints and to have fun at the fair held at the village every year. It is undoubtedly one of the biggest fairs in Cyprus. What is also noteworthy is that over the past few years many worshippers arrive from overseas and more specifically from Russia and other former Soviet countries. This is linked to the Holy Bishopric of Morfou and mainly the Bishop of Morfou Neophytos who projected the miraculous properties of Agios Kyprianos and Agia Ioustini.

Located more to the south of the church of Agios Kyprianos and Agia Ioustini and in a short distance from it is the chapel of Agios Georgios, while located east of the village is the chapel of Agios Andronikos. Moreover, a bit more to the north there is a small chapel of Virgin Mary, Mother of Children which is known to the wider area.