St. Barnabas - Patron Saint of Cyprus

Standing on a slight rise and overlooking the huge necropolis of Salamis is the twin-domed church dedicated to St. Barnabas, patron saint of Cyprus. This church, now used as an icon museum with the ancillary monks’ cells housing an impressive collection of Cypriot artefacts dating from the 7thC BC to the 18thC AD, still retains an air of sanctity and peace. Somewhat illogically on an island of mixed religious beliefs it remains a place of pilgrimage for both Muslim and Christian. Maybe this can be explained by the simple fact that Cyprus is an island where cultures and creeds have crossed, intermingled, blended, and divided over a period far in excess of the previous two thousand years, and each successive belief takes with it some vestige of the one they have left behind. The cultures that worshipped the moon and stars, gave way to those that worshipped pagan idols. These in turn were superseded by faiths that believed in an Almighty Creator and by the time the Romans gained power over the island there was a strong following of Judaism.
Barnabas was a Jew from Salamis who travelled to the Holy Land to study law and while there he met the apostle Paul and was converted to Christianity. On returning to Cyprus, (pertinent Bible references: Acts 4: 36-37, & Acts 13: 1-5) he preached the teachings of Jesus Christ and in 61AD was martyred by his fellow Jews. His death by stoning is the stuff of which legends are made, and traditionally it is accepted that his companion John Mark and other followers hid his body in a secret tomb, where it was destined to remain undisturbed for the next 400 years. That tomb was part of the Salamis necropolis and lay undiscovered until the 5th C AD.
When the tomb was revealed to Bishop Anthemios circa 480AD, with the body of Barnabas holding an illuminated Gospel of St. Matthew, the Bishop, head of the Cyprus church considered this was enough of a miracle to justify his request to Zeno, the Byzantine Emperor, the right to autocephalous status and with it all the benefits of self-governorship. For example revenues accrued in Cyprus would remain on the island rather than be transferred to the See of Antioch. The request was granted and the Orthodox Church of Cyprus took its place in the hierarchy of the Christian churches and has its own Patriarch. Barnabas was canonized and created the Patron Saint of the island. It is an icon of Barnabas, holding St. Matthew’s gospel that is placed in the backrest of the Bishop’s chair, though regrettably there are now few remaining in those churches of Northern Cyprus that are open to the public. A rather quirky patronage for which Barnabas is responsible, is that he protects against hailstorms!
The original Byzantine church crumbled over the succeeding years and was replaced in the 18thC by the present structure. Originally built with three domes, the minimal foundations at the apse end subsided in soft soil with the resulting collapse of one dome and the apse. The repairs that were carried out effectively shortened the nave of the church and did not replace the third dome, giving the church a rather squat and square appearance. The walls of the original apse can still be seen at the eastern end.
Very close to the church is a 19th century small chapel/mausoleum erected over the tomb site and visitors flock to pay their respects most especially on St. Barnabas’s feast day of June 11th.

Kyrenia - a mesmerising experience

To most visitors, a holiday in Northern Cyprus means Kyrenia, and Kyrenia means the stunning Kyrenia Harbour. The tranquillity can be felt even before the harbour is seen and as you stroll along the sea-front, there is an atmosphere of calm. Turning into the harbour itself provides a visual feast, where beautiful, whitewashed buildings and colourful boats shelter under a massive, Byzantine castle. During the day, Kyrenia harbour is sleepy and relaxed, but as sunset beckons, there is a magical transformation as locals take their evening stroll and the restaurants and tavernas prepare for their guests.

However, holidays in Kyrenia mean more than just the harbour and castle. Strolling through the streets of the old town, you will never be far away from the ruins of the Lusignan walls and towers which originally formed a protective curtain around the town.

Kyrenia holidays offer plenty for the keen shopper, with a vast array of outlets providing everything from the latest designer fashions to Cypriot antiques - not to mention a truly remarkable choice of restaurants.

Kyrenia is an ideal base to explore Northern Cyprus, and it has some of the island's best accommodation. Yet the serene beauty of the countryside is never far away....

Bellapais Village, the setting for Lawrence Durrell's classic novel 'Bitter Lemons of Cyprus' is a few minutes drive away and the 13th century abbey bears witness to the fact that the village has changed little since Durrell's time. The Nearby Crusader castles of Hilarion, Kantara and Buffavento are particularly fine, as is Nicosia, the capital of modern-day North Cyprus.

West of Kyrenia lies 'the Garden of North Cyprus', with citrus orchards, verdant forests and fertile plains. Here, the Roman settlement of Soli is worth a visit, as is the Persian palace of Vouni, where there are awe-inspiring views across the island and the sea.

It is said that the town was founded in the 10th century, and was called Corineum during the Roman period. As can be seen by the many tall buildings surrounding the harbour, it was once a bustling trade port, the buildings used for storage of goods such as carob. Under the British rule many improvements were made to the harbour area and also to the road system, allowing easy access through to Lefkosa. Kyrenia also boasts the New Harbour to the east of the town, which is a central departure point for passengers wishing to travel to and from Turkey.

The town sprawls out from the harbour and is home to a number of interesting museums and galleries, as well as being a hub for local tradesmen. The old town is located behind the harbour, and if you wander along the rambling narrow streets you’ll come to small secret shops, cafes and restaurants some with tiny courtyards all tucked away in the shade of the buildings. Some of the older buildings in the town, which are still used as residences, are amazingly intricate in architectural design and detail, giving a good indication of the wealth of sea-faring merchants in days gone by.

Kyrenia castle is lit up beautifully in the night time and adds a stunning focal point to the whole harbour area. It dates back to the late 12th century and is believed to have been built on a former Roman fort. Today it’s an exciting visitor attraction and museum with its lofty heights free and unrestricted by guard rails for people to climb around…parents watch out because a lot of those edges really are unprotected! It also houses the famous shipwreck museum that is home to one of the oldest ships ever recovered from the sea. The castle also hosts music festivals and events, making it one of the most visited attractions in North Cyprus.

Many Europeans have already made their home in and around Kyrenia, making it feel less of a town but more of a small city these days, with development seemingly expanding on a daily basis, but together making it more appealing to potential investors and residents. Kyrenia is a busy, social and cultural town with the GAU University only a short distance away, giving it a real mix of cultures and races