A visit in Antiquity

In other words we went to see some really old stuff. Last week for our senior couple meeting, the three senior couples went to the northeast section of the island. This is a little history lesson, and there is a lot of history about the Island of Cyprus. In 1974 Turkey invaded Cyprus. There was quite a war. Nearly 20,000 people were killed and tens of thousands were displaced. Greek Cypriots living in the Turkey occupied territory were forced to leave everything they owned and move to the south. The Turkish Cypriots who lived in the south moved to the north and left their homes. Today the Turks occupy the northeast 20% of the island. The Greek Cypriots occupy the rest. In between is a buffer zone controlled by the United Nations Forces. People can travel between the north and south, but have to pass through check points.

After getting through the check stations, we hired a seven-person taxi and drove east to the ancient village of Salamis. When you read the Book of Acts, the thirteenth chapter, you will read about Paul and Barnabas landing at Salamis on the Island of Cyprus. They then traveled to the village of Paphos. Barnabas was born in Salamis, but grew up in Jersulem and became a follower of Jesus. Greek Orthodox tradition says he was the bishop of the church in Salamis. He died as a martyr at the stake there. He was buried with a hand-written copy of St. Matthew's gospel. There is now a Greek Orthodox church which is called The monastery of St. Barnabas which has been a museum for decades. Located on the property is a smaller building which is a shrine to Barnabas and the location of his crypt.