Church of Chrysopolitissa and Column of St. Paul (Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa) description and photos - Cyprus: Paphos (Topic)

Church of Chrysopolitiss and Column of St. Paul (Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa) description and photos - Cyprus: Paphos. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa.

Photo and description

The ruins of one of the largest and most famous early Christian basilicas in Cyprus - Chrysopolitissa - is located near the city harbor of Paphos.

It was built in the 4th century. However, already in the 7th century, during the next Arab raid, the basilica was completely destroyed. From that building to the present day, only amazingly beautiful mosaic floors with floral and geometric ornaments, as well as several columns, on which inscriptions made by the invaders remain, have survived. Later, according to some sources - in the XII century, according to others - in the XV, a Byzantine church was built on the ruins, which was named the Church of St. Kyriaki. It is still in excellent condition and currently hosts Catholic and Anglican services.

This place is also famous for the fact that according to legend, to one of the columns, which is located on the northeastern side of the temple, as punishment for preaching, the Romans tied the Apostle Paul to beat him with whips. Unfortunately, now only one marble pedestal remains of this column. In addition, it is believed that it was in this temple that the apostle first converted to Christianity a Roman official who at that time was the governor of the empire on the island - Sergius Paul.

The church also became famous for being the first place that was visited by Pope Benedict XVI, when in 2010 he went on a journey “in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul.”

Now, large-scale archaeological excavations are being carried out on this territory. There have already been discovered the remains of the sanctuary of Aphrodite, as well as another Christian temple, which was destroyed by an earthquake.

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Topic: Church of Chrysopolitissa and Column of St. Paul (Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa) description and photos - Cyprus: Paphos.