APOSTOLOS VARNAVAS CATHEDRAL

The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of "Barnabas the Apostle" (Καθεδρικός Ιερός Ναός Αποστόλου Βαρνάβα/Kathedrikos Ieros Naos Apostolou Varnava, Saint Barnabas Cathedral) was consecrated in June 2021. Located in the Archbishop's Palace complex, it shares with the neighboring cathedral (Agios Ioannis Theologos) the seat of the Orthodox Archdiocese of Cyprus. It is dedicated to Saint Barnabas, considered the founder of the Cypriot Church in the first century. He was not one of the apostles of Christ, but this title is recognized by virtue of his role as a missionary. The project of the new cathedral, expensive (10 million euros) and contested, was launched by Archbishop Chrysostom II (born in 1941) upon his inauguration in 2006. But the building site started only ten years later, causing the destruction of listed buildings. Finally, this neo-Byzantine cathedral displays almost modest proportions. But it is striking because of its unusual structure: a dome without pillars, 14 m in diameter and 22.3 m high, framed by four aisles and four bell towers (18 m). The interior is also impressive. The gold of the iconostasis and the mosaic dome contrasts with the white of the walls and floors in Greek marble. The huge Christ Pantocrator of the dome and the stained glass windows were made in Romania. The golden chandeliers are replicas of those in the neighboring cathedral and come from the Czech Republic. And the bells were cast in Poland.