In another version the hagiographies were destroyed due to the moisture which exists in the area of Larnaca and more specifically in the Skala area, which has nearly the same altitude as that of the sea. The hagiographies of the temple were destroyed by an unknown reason during the long extent of existence of the temple. Until the beginning of the 20th century the interior of the temple had iconographies on the walls. The new bell tower was rebuilt in 1857.The bell tower of the temple was built during 1857 with neo-gothic and neoclassic elements. During the Turkish occupation, when the temple was turned into an Islamic temple, the bell tower and three domes were destroyed. Until 1784 the temple was used by the Catholics who only operated it during two days a year. During the Turkish occupation the temple was transformed into an Islamic temple and in 1589 it was sold to the orthodox community for 3000. During the same period the temple was transformed into a Catholic monastery and the exterior surrounding area was transformed into a cemetery. During the 15th and 16th centuries a gothic part was added along the length of the south wall of the temple. The architecture type of the temple belongs to the category of complex cross with a dome. As the years passed the church became a core in which communities were built around, throughout the port of the town. Until the beginning of the 20th century the temple was surrounded with rooms which were rented by merchants, travellers and craftsmen. The temple of Agiou Lazarou, along with the fortified port and the Frank castle were the most magnificent buildings of Larnaca during the medieval and newer years. When the ottomans conquered the island, the church was turned into a mosque and in 1589 it was sold back to the orthodox community for the amount of 3.000 aspres. The existing church of Agios Larazos was built over the remains of two earlier churches.Archaeological excavations in the enclosure and inside the church also revealed sarcophagus made of marble, box-shaped tombs and other artefacts.ĭuring the 15th-16th century, a gothic porch was added along the church’s south wall and the current bell tower was built during the 17th century. Sources mention that he was buried in a marble Larnaca which had an inscription on it which stated: The four day Lazaros and friend of Christ. After his rising Agios Lazaros fed to Cyprus where he met with Apostles Paul and Varnava who made him Kition’s first Bishop and Patron Saint in 33 AD. The relationship of the saint with the apostles on the island was close. Saint Lazarus was considered to be a good friend of Jesus Christ and who was also resurrected from the dead. The crypt with the tomb of Saint Lazarus is located beneath the church. In 1734 when the Russian monk visited the church the domes had already been destroyed. According to another version, the domes where ruined by an earthquake however it is unknown when it occurred. According to tradition a Turkish officer ordered the demolition of the domes due to the fact that when he entered to port of Larnaca he mistook the domes as being a Turkish temple and he prayed. The three domes do not exist today as they were demolished during the Turkish occupation. The church is completely made of stone, it has three rooms with three domes on the middle room. The church was built on the tomb of the saint, during the 10 th century sponsored by the Emperor Leonta the VI, as a return for the transfer of the relics of Saint from Kitio to Istanbul. It was built by the Byzantine Emperor Leo VI in exchange for the transfer of the Saint’s relic to Constantinople.Īfter Agios Lazaros came to Cyprus her was ordained as the Episcope of Kiti by Apostles Paul and Varnavas, where he remained until his death. The Church of Agios Lazaros, the protector of the Larnaca district is built on the coastal zone of the town and forms one of the most important monuments of Cyprus.Īgios Lazaros Church is situated in the centre of Larnaca and is the primary place of worship of Agios Lazaros in Cyprus. It is dated in the early 10th century and is one of the most significant Byzantine monuments of Cyprus.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |