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Agia Kyriaki Church and St. Paul’s Pillar

A church shared by several Christian communities, and the site of a legend about the Apostle Paul

Local name: Αγία Κυριακή Χρυσοπολίτισσα – Στήλη του Αγίου Παύλου

Collection: Cyprus Basics Exam · Cyprus · Open in OpenStreetMap

The story

In Kato Paphos lie the ruins of the Early Christian basilica of Chrysopolitissa. A basilica is a large church with rows of columns. According to the Department of Antiquities, it was built in the second half of the fourth century, and it is one of the first and largest basilicas on the island. The surviving church of Agia Kyriaki, built later on this site, is dated by the department to around 1500, and by the tourism website to the thirteenth century. Today the Anglican, Catholic and German Evangelical communities hold services here, and once a month there is also a Maronite Mass. Nearby stands a column where, according to legend, the Apostle Paul was flogged. And according to the Acts of the Apostles, it was in Paphos that the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus came to believe, after meeting Paul and Barnabas.

Agia Kyriaki (Chrysopolitissa) in Kato Paphos is a church where several Christian communities hold services: Anglican, Catholic, German Evangelical and Maronite. Next to it is St. Paul’s Pillar: according to legend, the apostle was flogged here, and according to the Acts of the Apostles, the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus came to believe in Paphos.

Visiting

The basilica ruins and the column are viewed from walkways above the excavations. The church is in use, so try not to disturb services. Opening hours and entry conditions have not been checked; ask on site.

Sources

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