St. John's Cathedral, Nicosia

The Cathedral of St. John the Theologian is the main church of the Church of Cyprus. It is located in Nicosia, the capital city of Cyprus.

Cathedral of St. John the Theologian
Religion
AffiliationChurch of Cyprus
Location
LocationNicosia, Cyprus

The church was built in the XIV century at the site of Benedictines’ Abbey of St. John the Theologian[1] that had been founded by the House of Lusignan. First reference about the church appears in historical sources starting from the XI century[2]. Due to frequent Mamluk invasions Benedictines left the island in 1426, and the monastery was passed over to the Orthodox. However, the monastery retained its dedication to St. John the Theologian[3].

Archbishop Nikiphoros reconstructed the church in the XVII century. He used part of remained basement for the reconstruction[4]. Marble slab was installed above the western entrance to the church. The slab has a date, the 30th of April 1662, indicating when reconstruction of the church was started. Although the precise date of the end of reconstruction is unclear but it is assumed that reconstruction was finished between 1662 and 1674[5]. After the reconstruction, the church became the residence of Cyprus Archbishop in 1720[6]. The enthronements of Archbishops of Cyprus are held there.[7]

References

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