- Location: Famagusta
- Founding date: 5 c.
- Founder: Cypriot Archbishop Anfemius
- Denomination: Cyprus Orthodox Church
- Type: stauropegic monastery
Not far from the city of Famagusta is a monastery , which is one of the most revered on the island of Cyprus - the monastery of the Apostle Barnabas. It is named after the Cypriot saint, the man to whom Cyprus owes Christianity, and the first Christian ruler in the world, a local native of St. Barnabas. The monastery is inactive - the last three monks who lived here left the monastery in 1976.
The territory on which the monastery is located, was part of the Salamis necropolis, so from time to time there are archaeological excavations.
A bit of history
Barnabas, who today is the "heavenly patron" of Cyprus, was born in Salamis. He studied in Jerusalem, where, according to legend, he happened to see the miracles performed by Jesus Christ, which spodviglo him not only to become his follower: he also managed to convert to Christianity many people, including Sergius Paul - the then ruler of Cyprus. The name "Barnabas" he, by the way, received from the apostles, it is translated as "the son of the soothsayer", or "son of comfort"; his real name was Josiah.
Barnabas became the first archbishop of Salamis. His fate was tragic, as with many Christian preachers of that period: he was stoned. The body of the deceased was hidden in the sea, but the Companions managed to find it and bury it according to the Christian rite - in the crypt and with the Gospel not far from Salamis, under the carob tree.
Over time, the place of burial was forgotten. At the end of the fifth century AD (the legends preserved a more accurate date - 477) the relics of the saint were recovered again, and in a very remarkable way: the Cyprian bishop Anfemios saw the burial place of Barnabas in a dream. On the site of the crypt, in honor of the relics, a temple was erected. To this day it has not survived (it was destroyed during one of the Moors' attacks in the 7th century). After that the monastery was repeatedly completed. The buildings that have survived to this day were erected in 1750 - 1757; they are in very good condition. In 1991, the monastery was reconstructed.
Monastery today
Today the monastery is a tourist site, which is visited by a large number of people every year. The complex consists of the monastery itself, a small chapel built over the burial site of St. Barnabas, a church in which you can see preserved fragments of the old temple (including a column made of green marble, as well as fragments of carved stone), and a museum. The chapel, built above the crypt of the saint, is a very revered shrine among Christians - both local and visitors. Fourteen steps lead to the crypt from the chapel; The newly acquired relics for the monastery of St. Barnabas today are in several Cypriot temples; you can see them in the chapel above his crypt.
The building of the monastery is built in the traditional Byzantine style. The church is called "Panagia Theokotos", which translates as "Nativity of the Virgin." In it you can see a large number of icons - both new and old. The interior is decorated with frescoes. The oldest, dating from the 12th century, is called "Pantokrator"; it is located on the dome. The frescos near the south wall and at the altar are later, they date from the 15th century. They are executed in the Franco-Byzantine style and represent the birth of the Virgin Mary and other scenes from the life of her parents - saints Anna and Joachim.
The archaeological museum is located in the building of the monastery itself, it presents archaeological finds dating back to the times of antiquity: Greek amphorae and other ceramics, Roman glassware and jewelry.
Also on the territory of the monastery you can visit the carpet workshop, and if you are hungry, then have lunch in a cafe, located right in the monastery courtyard.
How to visit the monastery?
To reach the monastery of Apostle Barnabas by public transport is impossible; only on a rented car on the route Famagusta-Karpaz to the city of Engomi, in the suburbs of which it is located. The monastery works from 9-00 to 17-00 every day, except Sundays. The cost of the visit is not established - just make a voluntary donation in the amount you deem appropriate.
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