It is with great pleasure that I address today's greeting for the opening of the Aska Ecclesiastical Museum, which exhibits important ecclesiastical objects from the 14th to the 20th century. Portable icons, miniature works of art and palaeotypes further illuminate the history of Aska and its long course through the centuries.
The ecclesiastical relics protected and displayed in this museum have come from two churches in the village, which are declared Schedule II Ancient Monuments according to the Law on Antiquities. Both the church of Timios Stavros and the church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, which date back to the Medieval period of Cyprus, were declared as Ancient Monuments by the Department of Antiquities in March 1971.
Gunnis Rupert, an English antiquities inspector who served in Cyprus between 1926 and 1932, during his research throughout the island, located and recorded some information about the churches in Aska. In particular, he reports that the church of Timios Stavros is a medieval building. The church of Agios Ioannis the Baptist must date from the early 16th century and was rebuilt in 1763. He even mentions the chapel of Agia Christina, located outside the village, which dates back to 1411.
Similarly, George H. Everett Jefferey, Curator of Ancient Monuments of Cyprus between 1903 and 1935, an architect by profession, mentions the two churches of Askas in his book on the historical monuments of Cyprus, describing their architecture and noting that they are picturesque churches.
Similarly, George H. Everett Jefferey, Curator of Ancient Monuments of Cyprus between 1903 and 1935, an architect by profession, mentions the two churches of Askas in his book on the historical monuments of Cyprus, describing their architecture and noting that they are picturesque churches.
Both churches are adorned with important frescoes of the medieval period, testifying to the religiosity and deep faith of the inhabitants of Aska.
The Department of Antiquities has proceeded with the conservation of both the two churches and their frescoes, in cooperation with various institutions. Specifically, for the Church of the Holy Cross, a paving of Troodos stone was constructed in 2006 around the perimeter of the church, a project supervised by the Department of Antiquities. In the church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos, in 1978 the Department of Antiquities proceeded with the repair of the bell tower, while in the years 1996-2000 it collaborated with the Courtauld Institute of Art of the University of London for the conservation of the frescoes. During this work, a wall to the south of the sanctuary arch was removed, revealing new frescoes in the sanctuary which are in very good condition.
As Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, I would like to thank the community of Aska, the church committee and especially the Diocese of Tamassos and Orinis for the work you are doing to preserve, enhance and promote our cultural heritage, basic principles that go hand in hand with the strategic objectives of our Ministry.
(ΘΓ/EΠ)
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