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St. Lazarus Church in Larnaca: an opportunity to touch a shrine
Larnaca and surrounding
Temples, Churches
Temples, Churches

On the island of Cyprus, amidst the splendor of historical and spiritual shrines, there is a special place: the Church of St. Lazarus in Larnaca. The church was founded in the distant Byzantine period, in 898.

When Christ raised him from the dead, Lazarus was thirty years old. And he lived for thirty long and fruitful years in Kition (now Larnaca) in Cyprus, and died about 63 years old at the age of sixty.

St. Lazarus preached Christianity on this island. The Apostles Paul and Barnabas consecrated him as the first Bishop of Kition. According to this, he was a shepherd of the Christian congregation of this city for 18 years. After that, he died a second time and was buried in the place where his Byzantine church stands today.

Saint Lazarus is revered as the patron saint of Larnaca and a healer. After the second death, the relics of Lazarus were reverently placed in a Marble ark on which was carved the line: "Lazarus of the Four Days, a friend of Christ."

Then a temple was built, consecrated in his honor, in Larnaca, right above the tomb of Saint Lazarus. Since then, the temple has become a permanent place of pilgrimage for an incessant stream of believers from all over the world. The church was built of massive stone blocks. It has been rebuilt many times. However, a three-nave Basilica of the 9th century is well preserved at the heart of its construction.

The Church iconostasis, a sample of fine wood carving, attracts attention. The Church contains several valuable icons of the Byzantine period.

A niche built in the rock has been preserved under the iconostasis. You can get there by the steps on the right side of the iconostasis. It contains two sarcophagi, in one of which Lazarus was once buried.

The sound of the bells of the Church of St. Lazarus resounds throughout the city. Residents of Larnaca love their temple: children are baptized there, weddings are held, and on Sundays and holidays a large number of believers gather in the temple.

Pilgrims from all over the world come to the Church of St. Lazarus with a desire to touch its relics. The locals, in gratitude for the healing and protection, bring wax figures to the church.

Address: Agios Lazaros

Published by

Praskovia Ko

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