By Con Charalambous
Yet another historical Paphos monastery, Panayia Chrysorogiatissa at the Panayia community, has suffered damage following yesterday's double quakes which centred around the district and also affected the medieval Saint Neophytos monastery, on the outskirts of the city.
Bishop of Arsinois Pagkratios, the monastery's abbot, recorded damage to buildings, adding that precautions had already been taken to prevent more serious problems, as Chrysorogiatissa tilts to the north, even during minor quakes or when the ground moves.
The Abbot said that a Frederick University study was conducted in order to support and restore the monastery and following its conclusion, metal supports placed along the structure, prevented more serious damage, noting that there had even been danger of walls collapsing, if no measures were taken.
He further noted that there was serious damage to the northeastern side of the monastery, with cracks and bricks falling on the ground and immediate repairs needed.
'Metal supports musrt be placed, with further extensions required as well, on the western side of the monastery', he noted. Public Works have been notified and will be visiting the area in the coming days.
Ayios Neophytos Monastery Damages
Further to the west, the Abbot of the medieval Ayios Neophytos monastery was today assessing damages following the quake, with the goal of 'establishing the danger they posed'.
Bishop of Hytron added that the antiquities department had been called over the six metre crack across the aisle of the main church (late 15th century), noting that the monastery's nucleus dates back to the 12th century.
Restoration work also continues.