HISTORICAL ACCOUNT

The village of Omodhos was probably founded towards the end of Byzantine era, or the beggining of the Frankish Rule in Cyprus. Omodhos was built after the dissolvement of the settlements "Bano" and "Kato Koupetra"(meens in greek the eagle's stone-t'aetu petra) on the left site of the rivet "Ha-Bodami".
According to tradition Isaakios Komninos, the Bishop of Cyprus (1185-1191), having been defeated by the English King Richard the Lionheart saught refuse at Koypetra, the aria there called today  'Polemi'=battle and the place they set on their tents called also 'Tenta'. This implies that 'Koupetra' existed in 1191 and was disolved soon after that.
It is said that an old woman, while begging from house to house and from one village (Bano) to the other (Kado Koubedra) managed, through gossip, to make the villagers hate each other. The situation became unbearable and the area governor was called upon to try and reconcile them, promising to cancel a year's tzxes in return for peace. His attempt, however, was in rain. They continued their emnity and killed each other until the two communities were destroyed.
A new settlement was then formed around the monastery of the Holly Cross, and took the name of Omodhos. There are several rumours as the origin of the name of Omodhos, three of which are the most prevelant: It is said that the inhabitans of the two communitiew of "Koubedra" used to see a light on the muntain opposite the village. They went over and found a lit votire lamp in a big bush (Vathgian), and dicided to build the village there and mane it Omodhos.  Another rumour was i that there several roads leading to the neighbouring villages of Gilani, Vasa, Mandria and others. The word Omodhos is made up of the adverb "omou" which means "here" and the word "othos" meaning the street.
The third rumour says that the name Omodhos comes from the Frankish name Homodeus. In a Frankish document it is mentioned that the village was named after the fendal lord Homodeus who lived in the area.
The village was owned in 1400 by sir John De Brie, prince of Galilea. Was reported as prosperous in 1570, but decling thereafter. Was a tobacco area in the early 19th century.
Omodhos was on the Wine Road which was completed from Limassol in November 1886 and the system was completed from Limassol to Platres.
Platres rad upon completion of the Omodhos-Mandria sector in 1901. An inaugration ceremony was held in connection with Omodhos Fair on September 27 of that year.

LIFE IN OMODHOS

Omodhos is located in the district of Limassol and is one of the best wine producing villages in Cyprus. It is about 35 kilometres (26 miles) from Limassol, 80 km from Nicosia and 7 km from Platres.
The first view you get when you arrive in Omodhos is of its enormous big square, surrounded by whitewashed stone house, mulberry trees, tavernas, coffeehouse and souvenir shops.
Since the olden days the inhabitans have been vine-growers. Afther the day's work the men usually gather in the cafes, which are still exlsively for men, to relax and play game of cards, backgammon or chess.
"Omodhides" are people of strict morals, very proud of themselves and rather conservative on their ideas. They have a rich, and dynamic character.
The women respect their husbats, parents and relatives and they are known of their sensibility, honesty and good - house keeping. Apart from helping their husbunds in the fields the womans' place is basically in the home. In the summer they usually gather outside their homes, drinking coffee, gossirping and embroedering the famouw "bibilles"(needle lace). Nearly all the housew are built of stone, close to each other and retain their old architectural style. The streets are narrow and spotless.

THE CHURCE AND THE MONASTERY OF THE HOLLY CROSS
 
 
 

The monastery of the Holly Cross in Omodhos is one of the most ancient and respected monasteries in Cyprus. According to the chronicler Kyprianou, when St. Helen came to Cyprus in 327 a.d. and started building churches the monastery of O. was already in existance. When passing by the village she donated part of the rope the Jews used to tie Jesus on the cross.  As it was mentioned earlier the inhabitants of "Koubedra" used to see a light in the opposite slope where O. is now built. While digging around the place they came acroos a rock and undrneath it they found a small cross. Consequently, the church was built in this place and soon afterwards the monastery and the cells. Gradually, the monastery became very rich through donatons by the Christians.
Until the middle of the last century the monastery continued to function. It's property the came under the ecclesiastical control of Paphos Metropolis. In 1916 the Metropolis sold all the property to the inhabitants of O.
During the Turkish occupation the monastery was used as a school, attended by children from O. and the neighbouring village.
The original buildings of the monastery were renovated in 1816 when Chrysanthos was the Bishop of Paphos and Thositheos the abbot of the monastery. The monastery was at its glory in 1700 a.d. when it secured protection from Polis (Constantinoble). This happened after  the Sultan's son, who was to inherit the throne, was given a great reception by the monks of the Holly Cross at Constantinoble. The Sultan in return issued a "firmani"-a written confirmation- according to which no one had the right to violate the monastery. It was also exempted from paying taxes. Thus, during the difficult times of the Turkish rule the monastery of H.C. not only enjoyed enormous fame and glory, but was also used as a refuge by the persecuted.

HISTORICAL EVENTS OF THE MONASTERY OF THE HOLY CROSS AFTER 1700

-1700- The monastery became very famous because of the miracles of the H.C. and acruired enormous property donated by the faithfull. In 1700 it was granted "firmani" by the Sultan(see above). In addition it was empowered to solve disputes amongse the Christians in O. and the neighbouring villages.
-1757- Under the care of its protector Yermanou the monastery was provided with a fountain when Ioakin 3rt was the bishop of Paphos.
-1773 -1780- During this period the cranium of Phillippos the Apostle was transfered from the same church of Arsos village to O. for greater security.
-7th July 1811- The English lieutenant Erricos Rouk died at the monastery and was burried there by consent of the bishop Chrysanthos. After five years his requiem took place at the monastery. An interesting gravestone is inserte in the north wall of the church with the following inscription:-   Under this marble are deposite/ the remains of Henry Rooke Esq. formerly Major in the/ Hundredth DRegiment of Foot with brevet rank of Lieu/ tenant-Colonel in the service of His Britannic Majesty/ King George the Third. After quitting the he travelled/ thro'varous parts of Europa, and being in Italy/  in the year 1799, joined the Russian Army before Ancona/ as a volunteer officer and for his services and/ assistance in reducing that fortress his late Imperial/ Majesty of all the Russias Paul conferred upon him the/ Order of S. Anne of Holstein 2nd class. He died in this/ Convent the 7th day of July in the year of our Lord and Saviour/ 1811 and was interred by the Holy Fathers under/ neath this stone with their consent and that of/ the most Reverend the Bishop of the Greek Church in the island of Cyprus. His only surviving brother B./ Rooke as a last tribute of fraternal regard and affection/ hath caused this memorial to be conveyed and/ placed over his grave.
-1821- The house keeper of the monastery, Thositheos, was beheaded by the Turks in Nicosia.
-1917- The Metropolis of Paphos sold the monastery property to the inhabitants of Omodhos for three thousnd pounds.

MIRACLES OF THE HOLY CROSS

According to tradition the H.C. has performed many miracles, the most astonishing being told below:
It was a very dry summer in Jyly. The fountains had dried out and the inhabitans had to fetch water from a long way. At noon one day, the monastery's bell started ringing by itself. The people ran to find out what had happened and saw that the north side of the monastery had caught fire, but they could not put it out as there was no water. In despair the house keeper got hold the H.C. and knelt down with the other people and started praying. That very moment a black cloud had formed over the Troodos mountain and was heading towards the village. Before the prayer was over the cloud stood over the belfry. In then started raining heavily, the roads filled with water and the people were able to put out the fire. The amazing phenomenon, however, was that the fire left no mark of damage to the monastery.

                                                                                                        PAGE 2