In 1341, under the supervision of Bishop Olvin, a church was erected on the site of an ancient temple. The construction was made possible thanks to a generous donation from Alice, the queen consort of King Hugh IV. Alice was miraculously cured of muteness, which had occurred to her due to inappropriate behaviour at the Machairas Monastery.
The church houses an exquisite silver cross, a masterpiece adorned with 14 reliefs depicting the life of Christ. The cross is surrounded by angels and the saints Constantine and Helena. At its base, beneath the depiction of the Crucifixion, lies a fragment of the Life-Giving Cross, flanked by images of the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist, encircled by four angels.
The design of the cross is intricate: the horizontal row features Constantine the Great, the betrayal of Jesus, Golgotha, and Saint Helena. The vertical row includes the Throne of the Second Coming, the Resurrection of Jesus, the Deposition from the Cross, and Christ's Burial. At the base of the cross is an inscription and a portrait of Olvin. The cross, embellished with precious stones, holds a sacred relic—a fragment of the Life-Giving Cross described by the Russian pilgrim Vasily Grigorovich-Barsky as part of the base where the feet of Jesus Christ were nailed, with two small holes from the nails of the Crucifixion.
This silver cross is kept in the church's sacristy on regular days behind an elegantly carved iconostasis. The church underwent restoration in 1740, during which a wooden iconostasis crafted by sculptor Hatzikirakos from Rhodes was installed. The inscription "The Redemption of Chris" indicates that the iconostasis was gilded in 1761 under the watchful eye of Bishop Makarios of Kition.
Over the years, the church has seen further enhancements. In 1857, a magnificent bell tower was constructed, with bells donated by devout natives of Lefkara living abroad. The church was expanded in 1867, and 1909 the propylaea were built and preserved. The last touch was added in 1953 when the church's dome was painted, completing its transformation into the architectural marvel it is today.
This guide will introduce us to Larnaca and Lefkara, a seaside city and mountain village revealing Cyprus's essence. Larnaca is an ancient city with a rich history of Greeks and Turks, where the Church of Saint Lazarus—one of the most important sanctuaries of the Orthodox world—coexists with the Mosque of Umm Haram, the fourth most significant mosque in the Muslim world.
We will stroll through the streets of Larnaca, admire the murals, and experience the charm of this Mediterranean city undergoing renewal.
Next, we will visit perhaps the most famous village in Cyprus—Lefkara, renowned for its unique embroidery and silver craftsmanship traditions, and the church that houses a relic of the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified. Beyond these significant historical sites and events, you will be captivated by the charm of Cyprus, its peaceful nooks, enduring traditions, and serene atmosphere.
Cyprus is embodied in its mountain villages, where its heart and soul reside.
Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
