Anglican Church of Paphos
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A Brief History of Ayia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa

St. Paul and St. Barnabas visited Cyprus in 45 AD (Acts 13 verses 5-12) and converted the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus. He became the first Christian ruler and Cyprus the first Christian country. Tradition has it that St. Paul was scourged in Paphos at the pillar near this church. This church is, therefore, often known as “The Church by St. Paul’s Pillar”.
The church of Ayia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa was built around 1540 AD as a Latin Church on the site of a small church which was destroyed in 365 AD by an earthquake.

The Orthodox Bishop of Paphos entrusted Ayia Kyriaki to the Latin Catholic Community (LCC) in 1986 and two years later  the Latin Catholic Church invited, among others, the Anglican community to use Ayia Kyriaki for the divine worship. - service times can be found HERE.
Exterior close up view of Ayia Kyriaki Church
Interior view of Ayia Kyriaki Church
View of Ayia Kyriaki from beyond the archaeological remains
A Brief Timeline

45 AD             
St Paul and St Barnabas come to Cyprus and Paphos. It is here that Saul becomes St Paul. The story can  be found in Acts, Chapter 13 vs. 5-12 of the Bible.
365 AD            
A major earthquake destroys much of Cyprus including Paphos.
386 AD           
The building of the Basilica is started in Paphos. It has seven-aisles and is the largest in Cyprus. When completed it becomes the seat of the Bishop of  Paphos, then the senior Bishop in Cyprus. The Bishop’s palace was built on flat land to the left of Ayia Kyriaki.
536 AD           
Following an earthquake the Basilica is refurbished under Bishop Sergius as a five-aisled building.
653 AD            
Basilica is again destroyed by Arab invasion and another earthquake. The mosaics and some pillars are all that remain. 
900 AD            
A small Byzantine church is built where Ayia Kyriaki now stands. It remains the Cathedral of the Bishop of Cyprus.
1159 AD         
Another major earthquake badly damages Paphos including Ayia Kyriaki.
1220 AD         
St Francis of Assisi visits Cyprus and Paphos.
1312 AD         
Franciscans build a church on the site over four caves known as ‘The Caves of St Paul’.
1500 AD         
Ayia Kyriaki is refurbished into what is the present church and is noted in records as a  ‘plaster painted’ church. A small remnant of the plaster can be seen on a brick above  the Bishop's chair.
1540 AD         
The Franciscan church is refurbished by crusaders, incorporating St Paul’s Pillar in the entrance way. 
1573 AD         
The Turks invade Cyprus and the Franciscan church becomes a Mosque. Ayia Kyriaki stays unchanged. 
1600 AD         
The Franciscan church collapses. 
1734 AD         
The Bishop of Paphos moves his cathedral to Ktimi. 
1984 AD         
The Bishop of Paphos entrusts Ayia Kyriaki, which is empty and derelict, to the Roman Catholic Community. 
1985 AD         
The first Roman Catholic Mass is offered in Ayia Kyriaki. 
1987 AD         
Archaeological works are undertaken at Ayia Kyriaki - the mosaics and pillars are rediscovered. 
1988 AD        
The Anglican church takes up the offer by the Catholic Community to use Ayia Kyriaki for divine worship. The Orthodox Church still uses this building for special occasions.
Interior image highlighting the altar of Ayia Kyriaki church
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External links

Weddings
Diocese Website
Picture

​Contact Details

Anglican Church of Paphos
PO Box 61083
8130 Kato Paphos
Cyprus

(+357) 99 103976
[email protected]
Website - J Scott.   [email protected]     2021
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Parish
    • Our People
    • Services >
      • Special Services
    • Ayia Kyriaki, Kato Paphos
    • St Luke's, Prodromi
    • St Stephen's, Tala
    • Social Events
    • Fundraising
  • Community
    • Care In The Community
    • Bereavement Support
    • Charitable Giving
    • Pastoral Care Team
  • Life Events
    • Baptisms/Christenings
    • Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child
    • Confirmation
    • Weddings
    • Renewal of Marriage Vows
    • Blessing After a Civil Marriage
    • Funerals & Memorials
  • Giving
    • Collections, Gifts, Pledges
    • Gift Aid
    • Legacy Giving
  • News
    • Weekly Parish News Sheet >
      • Other Newsletters
    • Announcements
    • Events
  • Galleries
    • Services
    • Social & Fund Raising
    • Other Events
  • Links
    • Chaplain's Corner >
      • Articles of interest
      • Sermons
    • The Diocese >
      • Diocesan Synod Report
    • Daily Prayer Diary
    • Church of England Daily Readings
    • Privacy and Legal
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • Find Us