Nestorian Church, Famagusta, Cyprus

The Nestorian church is top be found in the north west quarter of Famagusta, where most middle east Christians settled. The Nestorians mainly arrived after the fall of Acre in 1291. They were mainly merchants, and extremely wealthy. This church was reputedly built in 1359 by Francis Lakhas, who is said to be so rich that he once ground up a diamond to spread on his food, just to show that he could afford to do it.

In spite of his great wealth, the church he built was simple, although there is a rather attractive rose window above the entrance. It was originally single aisled with a half-domed apse. At a later stage, two more aisles were added, and two pointed arches were opened in the north and south walls so that the aisles could communicate. It is thought that the belfry to the west is a later addition.

The interior once contained rich and diverse frescoes and inscriptions in Syriac script. Most have disappeared, but those that remain are in good condition, depicting saints.

During Ottoman times, the church became redundant, as was used as a camel stable. In the mid 19th century, the church was converted to Greek Orthodox to serve the small Greek Cypriot community in Famagusta.

The Greeks dedicated the church to Ayios Yeoryios Exorinos (St George the Exiler). Legend has it that if you swept up some dust from the floor of this church and put it in your enemy's house, it would cause their death or exile within a year. The church continued to serve the Greek Cypriots till 1963.

References:

Whatson-Northcyprus

Religious sites in Cyprus

User Reviews

MG MG (2 years ago)
The Nestorian church was founded on the initiative of Franciszek Lahkas and his brothers. It was created in the Gothic style, which is another proof of the universalism of the style corresponding to many Christian denominations. At the beginning of the 20th century, the church was taken over by Orthodox Greeks and received a call from Saint. George Xorinos. He is associated with a legend with a fairly black color - if someone takes the land from that church and leaves his enemy in the house, it will lead to his death or leaving Cyprus within a year.

Naci Taseli (3 years ago)
nice church

Pavlos Klonis (3 years ago)
One of the most historical churches in Famagusta area. Absolutely breathtaking.

Christakis Christodoulou (3 years ago)
Very good for everyone to see.

Nathalie Ritzmann (4 years ago)
Construite en style gothique entre 1360 et 1369 par Sir Francis Lahkas et ses frères de l'ordre nestorien. Les murs intérieures ont été décorées par des fresques. Après 1905, l'église a été utilisée par les orthodoxes de Famagouste et alors appelée Saint Georges Xorinos.

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