Cypriot Hagiography

Cyprus has had her own Church ever since the years of the Apostles, and thus can boast of a rich hagiography comprising local saints. The founder of the Church of Cyprus, Apostle Barnabas, is held in particular esteem and near his tomb in Salamis is to be found one of the most important monasteries of Cyprus. According to tradition, Archbishop Anthemius had a dream in which he was shown where the remains of Apostle Barnabas were buried. However, Apostle Andreas is also directly linked with Cyprus, since tradition has it that he anchored off the most eastern point of the island, where the monastery named after him is built. Even the friend of Christ, Saint Lazarus, is connected with Cyprus; he became the Bishop of Kition and was buried in the grounds of his church in Larnaca. A third notable Cypriot saint is Saint Spyridon, whose origins can be traced to Tremetousia where he served as Bishop; in the 4th century he participated in the First Ecumenical Council.

Important saints subsequently enrich Cypriot hagiography, such as Saint Epiphanios, Archbishop of Cyprus in the 4th century A.D., Saints Philon and Sinesios, Bishops of the Karpass, Saints Eracleidios and Mnason, Bishops of Tamassos.

While not of Cypriot origin, Saint Mamas has nevertheless close ties with Cyprus, an important church bearing his name being preserved in the occupied village of Morphou. In the same region, in the village of Peristerona, Saints Barnabas and Hilarion, ascetics from Asia Minor, are held in reverence; it is to them that the famous church of five cupolas is dedicated.

Important saints with monasteries built in their honour are Saint Kendeas in Avgorou village, and Saint John Lampadistis in Kalopanayiotis. One of the most popular and best-loved saints of Cyprus, however, will always be Saint Neophytos, who lived in seclusion near Paphos in his cave carved out of rock.

Apostle Barnabas. The Apostle Barnabas was a Hellenised Jew of Cypriot origin and in the year 14 A.D. a resident of Jerusalem. Companion to Saint Paul during the latter’s first apostolic mission, he preached the word of Christ in Antioch, Lystra, Dervin and Iconia in Asia Minor. Parting company with Paul during the second apostolic mission, he came to Cyprus with his nephew Mark and worked to spread and establish Christianity on the island. He met a martyr’s end in his hometown, Salamis of Cyprus, where he was stoned to death by the Jews. His body was laid to rest in the cemetery of Salamis.