Big Mak settles in to new home

THE CONTROVERSIAL statue of Archbishop Makarios, known as ‘Big Mak’ which had graced the grounds of the Archbishopric in Nicosia has finally been re-homed between the Kykkos Monastery and Throni and placed in what will be a specially-constructed square where a new generation of visitors can admire it…or not.

The statue was moved from Nicosia last January and was meant to be ‘settled in’ months ago but the bad weather had caused a delay in having it cleaned and repaired, and the square around it constructed – until recent weeks. Until May, the statue itself was covered by a large canvas to protect it from the elements.

‘Big Mak’ now stands in his future home, close to where Makarios himself is buried, while an entire new square in what was once the parking area at the monastery will be completed. According to reports yesterday there will also be a building constructed nearby

The 11-tonne statue, which stands ten-metres tall was given the boot by the new Archbishop Chrysostomos II. He took the decision to remove it on the grounds that the giant monument was out of proportion with its surroundings in front of the Archbishopric where it had stood for 15 years.

It was statue was designed and sculpted by Nikos Kotziamanis between 1984 and 1987.

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