The documentary series “Lightful Paths” is a journey to the most important religious destinations in Greece and abroad. The destinations abroad concern places and monasteries associated with Greek Orthodoxy and constitute important religious monuments. The purpose of this series is to highlight the ecclesiastical and monastic heritage, which is an integral part of the cultural life of our country. More specifically, viewers are allowed to become acquainted with historical facts about each monastery, as well as the spiritual wealth preserved in the libraries or the museums of the holy monasteries. All forms of ecclesiastical art are also highlighted: such as iconographic representations of saints, wood carving, mosaics, and the construction of churches. Moreover, aspects of the monks’ daily life are presented to the extent possible.

The Holy Monastery of Kykkos is one of the largest and most historic holy monasteries of Cyprus. It is located in the western part of the Troodos mountains, at an altitude of about 1,300 meters and it was founded at end of the 11th century by Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos. The holy monastery’s center of reference is the miraculous icon of Panagia Eleousa (Merciful Madonna) (of Kykkos), which represents Panagia Vrefokratousa (Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus), painted according to tradition by Luke the Evangelist. North of the monastery is “The Throne of the Virgin Mary”. In the past, there was a wooden throne right there, where they placed the Holy Image and prayed to the Virgin Mary. During the Latin era, the monastery preserved and perpetuated the tradition, the Greek language and historical memory through ecclesiastical texts. The Museum of the Holy Monastery of Kykkos is a unique cultural and historical institution. The huge collection of wonderful antiquities, works of Art and treasures, reveals the history of Cyprus, but also the greatness of the history of the monastery.