Holy Monastery of St Nicholas of the Cats is located at Cape Akrotiri, near Limassol and is one of the oldest in Cyprus.
The retreat was built at the beginning of the 4th century and is famous for providing refuge to the cats that saved the island from venomous snakes. This is why the monastery was named after St. Nicholas – the cats’ protector.
Stefan Lusignan, a medieval historian, who published a book dedicated to Cyprus in 1580, suggested that Helena’s visit to the island played an important role in its unification with the Antioch and the appointing of Duke Kalokeros as the new Governor of Cyprus.
Allegedly, it was Kalokeros, who built the monastery of St. Nicholas on the outskirts of village Akrotiri at the order of Emperor Constantine. Having noticed Kalokeros’ dedication and skills, Helena ordered him to take care of the cats that she brought from Egypt and Asia Minor in order to kill the snakes that were harassing the island’s residents.
Source: cyprusfortravellers.net
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