Event: Cyprus - Paphos

Ayia Kyriaki

When:	Daily
Where:	Ayia Kyriaki
Costs:	Free
Opening Hours:	Services Sat-Sun 6pm (12pm in English)

Cyprus was the first country to adopt Christianity thanks to the efforts of St Paul and St Barnabus in 45AD, who converted the Roman consul to the new faith. For this reason, it boasts the ruins of one of the oldest Christian churches (basilicas) in the world - Ayia Kyriaki, or Chrysopolitissa as it is also known.

There are two churches on this site, just off the pedestrianised street of Stassandhrou. One was built by the Byzantines in the late 11th century and is still standing. Given over during the 1990s by the Orthodox bishop to the ex-pat community, it is an extraordinary piece of England in the middle of Cyprus, feeling just like a parish church.

The other church survives only as foundations of a much earlier edifice, thought to have been constructed in the 4th century. It had seven aisles and an archbishop's palace, which were both destroyed by Arabic raiders some time after its construction. The foundations enclose some 4th-century mosaics of geometric patterns and some much later columns, one of which is thought to be that on which St Paul was flogged.

The presence of the Arabs is evident from the domed Ottoman baths (no longer used) just to the north of the foundations, as well as a tiny mosque converted from another Byzantine church which was in use until 1975.

In spring, thousands visit the Church of Ayia Kyriaki to see the beautiful displays of flowers depicting passages from the Bible.