1917

Before May. [330] On the advice of dominus Eustorgius Nicosiensis archiepiscopus and dominus L. abbas Bellimontis, M. abbatissa and the conventus Sancte Marie Magdalene Acconensis Cisterciensis ordinis record that they have unanimously agreed to elevate their house in Nicosia to an abbey. The first abbess will be elected in the house of the nuns in Acre and will then transfer her rule to Cyprus. Thereafter the election of an abbess will be made by the convent in Nicosia according to the Benedictine Rule as observed by the Cistercians, although it will be monitored by the abbess in Acre, or by the prioress or any other discreet sister sent from Acre. A new abbess in Nicosia will be presented to the archbishop of Nicosia and will profess obedience according to the form adopted by the Cistercian Order and is in use in Acre with respect to the bishop of Acre. The abbey in Nicosia will bury no parishioner of Nicosia without the archbishop’s licence and will receive the oil of the infirm from him in the same way as is done in Acre. The document is sealed by dominus E. Nicosiensis archiepiscopus, by dominus L. abbas Bellimontis and by abbatissa Sancte Marie Magdalene de Accon.