Church of Saint Lazarus: history and photos

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Travelers from all over the world believe that the island of Cyprus is one of the best places on Earth for a beach holiday. Magnificent nature, gentle sea, bright sun, well-equipped beaches - what could be better for lovers of such a pastime?

However, for many tourists, such a holiday very soon becomes tiring, and they are interested in what can be seen in Cyprus. First of all, we recommend that you visit the Church of St. Lazarus in Larnaca - a unique landmark of the island, perfectly preserved to this day from the Byzantine era.

This magnificent building is considered by the Cypriots to be one of the most beautiful on the island. In ancient times, Christians who made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land necessarily visited the Church of St. Lazarus. It should be noted that the temple is conveniently located - in the very center of Larnaca, so you can easily get here on your own, even if you stay in another city. In recent years, bus service has been actively developing in Cyprus, and you can also use the services of a taxi that you can callfrom any hotel.

Church of Saint Lazarus in Larnaca in Cyprus: history

The construction of the famous temple began in 890. The work was carried out on the site of the church that existed at that time, where a friend of Jesus Christ himself, Lazarus, was buried. Emperor Leo VI the Wise allocated funds for the construction of the temple to the city of Kition (that was the name of Larnaca in those days).

Initially, during the Venetian occupation of the island, the temple was called the Benedictine monastery. It was part of the Catholic Church of the Roman Empire. After the capture of Cyprus by the Turks, the temple was bought (1589) by the Orthodox Church. The Turks were satisfied with the presence of Orthodoxy in this land, since they tried in every possible way to reduce the influence of Catholicism in this region. At the same time, Catholics received permission to hold services twice a year in the temple (in a small chapel). It adjoined the altar from the north and remained until 1794.

Features of the temple during the reign of the Ottomans

During the Ottoman Empire, the Church of St. Lazarus (Larnaca) lost its bell ringing, and the belfries themselves were banned. The bells in the temple were on wooden structures, but since the Turkish influence was not as strong in Larnaca as in other cities of Cyprus, they were not removed.

At the request of Russia in 1856, this ban was lifted. A few years later, a stone bell tower was built, which was subsequently destroyed and rebuilt several times.

Saint Lazarus

All ancient Christian churches keepmany legends and legends. Church of St. Lazarus (Cyprus) is no exception. Saint Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus Christ. On the fourth day after his death he was resurrected by Jesus. This is why Lazarus is often referred to as the Four Day One.

Having learned about the great miracle, the Jews decided to kill Lazarus, and he was forced to flee from Jerusalem. Together with a group of other disciples of Jesus, he went to Cyprus. Lazarus, who arrived on the island, was proclaimed by the holy apostles as bishop of the city of Kition, where he lived for 30 years.

After his death, Lazarus was buried in a marble tomb. Five hundred years later, Emperor Leo IV ordered the construction of a stone church on the burial site of the saint. Saint Lazarus is the patron saint of the city of Larnaca, and the temple built in his honor has long been the educational, cultural, religious and social center of the city. For 250 years, the Church of St. Lazarus opened hospitals and schools, kept order in cemeteries. She supported the needy, paid for the education of students, defended the interests of the townspeople. According to historians, such an active public position was not typical for most churches in Cyprus at that time.

Cypriots are very proud that Saint Lazarus lived on their land. Since ancient times, they have composed legends about him. One of them tells how Lake Aliki (S alt) appeared. Once upon a time there was a beautiful vineyard in its place, which belonged to an elderly woman. When Lazarus, passing by him, exhausted by thirst and tired, asked her for a small bunch ofgrapes, the stingy old woman refused him. St. Lazarus asked, pointing to a full basket of fragrant berries: "What is this?" and in response he heard: "S alt." Disappointed by the blatant lie, Lazarus said: "From now on, let everything here turn into s alt." Since then, Lake Aliki has appeared here.

Church of Saint Lazarus (Republic of Cyprus): description

The island's most famous and most visited temple features magnificent Byzantine architecture. Outwardly, it looks rather severe and even looks a bit like a medieval fortress. Made from stone. The building is over thirty meters long.

The Church of St. Lazarus (Republic of Cyprus) consisted of three naves and three domes. It belongs to a rare architectural type and differs significantly from most multi-domed temples. The arcade appeared here during the restoration work much later.

Near the northern entrance to the temple is the Jerusalem cross - the ancient emblem of the Latins. In the western part of the building is the Museum of St. Lazarus, which contains unique religious items - icons and old books, church utensils and clothes. There is a church shop next to the museum, which sells icons depicting Lazarus, books, copies of Byzantine letters, and much more. Archaeologists managed to establish that in ancient times even the outer walls of the temple were decorated with numerous frescoes, which, unfortunately, have not survived to this day.

Interior decoration

The interior design of the temple fascinates with its mystery- twilight, a lot of gilding and silver. The Church of St. Lazarus is famous for its unique treasure - an iconostasis made of carved wood. It was made by the talented carver Hadji Taliadoros. This delicate work was completed in nine years. The iconostasis was covered with gold, it was decorated with one hundred and twenty icons. Each one is a unique work of art.

Under the iconostasis is a small church carved into the rock - steps lead to it on the right. Next to the central altar is a chapel with a preserved Latin altar.

Relics of St. Lazarus

The believers who want to bow to St. Lazarus go down to the room located under the altar. A shrine with his relics is installed here. In front of the entrance (near the eastern wall) a holy spring beats.

The relics of Lazarus were first discovered in 890 in a small church located here. Having learned about the find, Leo VI ordered the Holy relics to be transported to Constantinople. In 1972, in a sarcophagus located under the altar of the church, scientists discovered part of the remains of the saint. This indicates that the inhabitants of Kition did not give up all their relics.

The sarcophagus is still in its original place today. On one of its sides, an inscription is inscribed, which translates as "friend." It was made to replace the first sarcophagus, which was brought to Constantinople with part of the relics of St. Lazarus. From Kition, the relics were sent to Chrysopolis, then to the Cathedral of St. Sofia.

Later Emperor Leo VI built anothera temple consecrated in honor of St. Lazarus (in Constantinople). The brought part of the relics was there until they were captured by the crusaders who conquered the city. They moved the remains to Marseille. Their further fate is not yet known.

Rules for visiting the temple

If you want to visit the Church of St. Lazarus, you should be aware of the rules that must be strictly observed.

1. Women must be strictly dressed. It is forbidden to enter the temple in shorts, miniskirts, in open and too tight clothes.
2. During the service, men and women sit separately. Men occupy the right side of the temple, women occupy the left.
3. It is forbidden to talk in the temple, take pictures and film the service, disturb the believers.

Wedding

One very beautiful custom glorified the Church of St. Lazarus throughout the world. It's about a wedding. Travel agencies from different countries offer couples in love to consecrate their union in this ancient Christian shrine. Newlyweds from all over the world come here to receive divine support and swear eternal love.

Outreach activities

Today, the cultural and educational center, which began its activities in 1875, continues to operate at the temple. Then it was a parochial school, and today the Church of St. Lazarus makes an invaluable contribution to the education and upbringing of children.

Now the center is located in a renovated building, where they canthere are about one hundred and fifty people at the same time. Conferences, exciting lectures, film screenings, organ and classical music concerts, small theater performances are held here.

Opening hours

Probably, many tourists are interested in when you can visit the Church of St. Lazarus. Temple hours vary depending on the season. In summer, you can visit the temple on weekdays from 8:30 to 13:00, and then from 16:00 to 18:30. On Saturday, the temple is open from 8:30 to 13:00. In winter (September-March) - from 8:00 to 17:00

The Orthodox Church around the world honors the memory of St. Lazarus a week before the Easter celebrations. This day is especially loved and solemnly celebrated in Larnaca.

Reviews of tourists

Many guests who visited Cyprus did not plan sightseeing of the island. However, when they set foot on this blessed land, they learned about an extraordinary Christian attraction.

Impressions of visiting the temple exceed the wildest expectations. Everything is amazing here. The architecture of the building, its interior decoration, the oldest iconostasis, which in itself is an invaluable monument of history and culture, unique icons - all this is the Church of St. Lazarus in Larnaca. Opening hours are very convenient to visit. Travelers note that some special atmosphere of mystery reigns in the temple and at the same time goodwill towards everyone who visited the church.