TIMIOS STAVROS CHURCH OF PELENDRI

This Greek Orthodox church (Ιερός Ναός Τιμίου Σταυρού/Ieros Naos Timiou Stavrou) is one of ten painted churches on the Troodos listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Dedicated to the Holy Cross, it was built in the ^12th century and modified until the ^16th century. Covered by a small dome, it has three wings, one of which is a former Catholic chapel built for the powerful Jean de Lusignan. In the apse, rare original frescoes (1171-1178) remain: Déesis (Christ, the Virgin and John the Baptist praying for the salvation of Christians), Fathers of the Church and a representation of Saint Stephen. But most of the decoration dates from the second half of the ^14th century. It was created by two teams in very different styles, reflecting the cultural abundance of Cyprus in the Middle Ages. The most talented artist painted the Christ Pantocrator ("Almighty") at the top of the dome, and various scenes such as the Descent into Hell, the Annunciation (only the Archangel Gabriel remains), the Akra Tapinosis ("Supreme Humiliation" with Christ in the tomb), the Ascension and Pentecost. These frescoes are distinguished by their vivid colors and the high quality of their drawings. The former Catholic chapel features sculpted and painted coats of arms bearing the Lusignan lion, one of which is associated with a portrait of Jean de Lusignan and his second wife Alix d'Ibelin, dressed in Frankish fashion.