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Church · Ancient Monument

Church of Panagia Angeloktisti

Kiti, Larnaca District · Byzantine Early Middle Ages; Early Byzantine/Late Antique Period; Post-Byzantine

Church of Panagia Angeloktisti: a church in Kiti, Larnaca District. Declared an Ancient Monument in 1927. 8 dated records of work on it, 1958 to 1995, with sources.

Larnaca District, about 34°51′ N, 33°35′ E

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  • Other recorded site
  • Contours every 100 m
On the ancient site of Kiti-Panayia Angeloktistos. Approximate location. Open in the map →

Protection

Antiquities Law
  1. 14 April 1927

    Declared an Ancient Monument, No. 255

    “The Church of Kiti with its Latin Chapel”

    The Cyprus Gazette No. 1841 of 14 April 1927 (Notice No. 255), p. 17, PDF p. 201 Online

  2. 10 May 1935

    Scheduled in 1935, Second Schedule, Larnaca item 3

    “The Church of Kiti with its Latin Chapel”

    Supplement No. 1 to The Cyprus Gazette No. 2441 of 10 May 1935, A Bill entitled A Law to consolidate and amend the Law relating to Antiquities [the Antiquities Law, 1935], Second Schedule, District of Larnaca, item 3, p. 328, PDF p. 348 Online

What was done when

8 records
  1. 1958

    The church was repaired for the ecclesiastical authorities with the aid of a Government grant.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “Panayia Angheloktistos (Kiti)”

    Colonial Office, Cyprus: Report for the Year 1958 (London: HMSO, 1959), p. 89

  2. 1959

    During the replastering of the interior it was found that the apse and east wall of the church were part of an earlier building.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “fut révélé au cours du replâtrage de l'intérieur que l'abside et le mur Est de l'église faisaient en réalité partie d'une autre construction antérieure”

    Vassos Karageorghis, «Chronique des fouilles à Chypre», Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 84 (1960), pp. 242-299, p. 295

  3. 1959

    Many graves had been dug at this spot in the Middle Ages and later, destroying even the foundations.

    Study

    As printed

    “de nombreuses tombes avaient été creusées en cet endroit au Moyen Age et par la suite, détruisant les fondations mêmes”

    Vassos Karageorghis, «Chronique des fouilles à Chypre», Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 84 (1960), pp. 242-299, p. 297

  4. 1959

    Remains of frescoes appeared beneath the four masonry arches that had been added to support the dome.

    Study

    As printed

    “des restes de fresques sont apparus sous les quatre arches en maçonnerie qui avaient été ajoutées pour soutenir le dôme”

    Vassos Karageorghis, «Chronique des fouilles à Chypre», Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 84 (1960), pp. 242-299, p. 297

  5. 1959

    The church was repaired on the initiative of the Church authorities with the aid of a Government grant; before a new floor was laid, traces were found of the original basilica, of which the apse with its mosaic survives.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “the church of Panayia Angeloktistos at Kiti, where prior to the laying of a new floor some traces were found of the original basilica”

    Colonial Office, Cyprus: Report for the Year 1959 (London: HMSO, 1961), p. 87

  6. 1959

    The foundations of two of the columns of the first church were found.

    Excavation

    As printed

    “permit de retrouver les fondations de deux des colonnes de la première église dont l'abside et la mosaïque”

    Vassos Karageorghis, «Chronique des fouilles à Chypre», Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 84 (1960), pp. 242-299, p. 297

  7. 1992

    Fresco cleaning and conservation continued in 1992.

    Repair and conservation

    Dimos Christou, «Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1992», Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 117 (1993), pp. 719-755, p. 755

  8. 1995

    Church whose wall paintings were cleaned and conserved in 1995.

    Repair and conservation

    Dimos Christou, «Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1995», Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 120 (1996), pp. 1051-1100, p. 1098

In the literature

10
  1. Undated

    6th century AD church, one of the few surviving early Byzantine monuments.

    As printed

    “Among the few remaining is the 6th century AD Church of Angeloktisti in Kiti, nearby Larnaka.”

    Anon., "Larnaka: A Historical Survey", Cyprus Today vol. 47, no. 2 (April–June 2009), pp. 3–14, p. 8.

  2. Undated

    Apse mosaic illustrated; dated 6th-7th century A.D. in caption.

    As printed

    “Mosaic in the apse of the Church of Angeloktistos, KM (6th - ith cent. A.D.)”

    Cleanthis Georgiades, "The Greek Character of the History of Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 2, no. 5 (September–October 1964), pp. 16–21, p. 20.

  3. Undated

    Apse mosaic in conch, a remnant of the early Byzantine basilica; assigned to the seventh century; compared with Ravenna mosaic and Kanakaria.

    As printed

    “In the conch of the apse—a remnant of the early Byzantine basilica destroyed by the Arabs—there is the finest church mosaic surviving in the island”

    J. Stylianou, "The Church of Kiti - Angeloktistos", Cyprus Today vol. 7, no. 4 (October–December 1969), p. 4.

  4. Undated

    Apse mural mosaic of the Virgin between Archangels Michael and Gabriel, described as the most important early Christian mural mosaic surviving in Cyprus.

    As printed

    “Mosaic in the apse of the Church of Panayia Angeloktistos, Kiti 6th - 7th century.”

    Anon., "Christmas Set of Stamps", Cyprus Today vol. 7, no. 4 (October–December 1969), pp. 2–3, p. 3.

  5. Undated

    Church with Byzantine mosaics at Kiti, listed for visitors.

    As printed

    “Byzantine Mosaics in the Church Angeloktistos "Our Lady Built by the Angels at Kiti"”

    Anon., "Cyprus tourism revitalized", Cyprus Today vol. 13, no. 5-6 (September–December 1975), pp. 37–41, p. 40.

  6. Undated

    Church with a 6th century mosaic, illustrated in photo caption.

    As printed

    “Panayia Angeloktisti Church at Kiti; a 6th century mosaic”

    Anon., "Cyprus Tourism: Progress and Future Prospects", Cyprus Today vol. 10, no. 3-4 (May–August 1972), pp. 18–23, p. 20.

4 more
  1. Undated

    Church with seventh-century transitional-style mosaic of the Virgin and Child attended by Archangels; earliest surviving Hodegetria in the Byzantine world.

    As printed

    “A mosaic picture in the church of Panagia Angeloktistos, at Kiti. Seventh century, transitional style.”

    Anon., "Byzantine Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 1, no. 3 (May–June 1963), pp. 20–21, p. 20.

  2. Undated

    Cruciform domed eleventh-century church built on ruins of an early Byzantine basilica; Frankish-style extensions on south and west; contains finest surviving church mosaic in the island.

    As printed

    “The Church of Panagia Angeloktistos (built by the angels). This church of the Virgin Mary, which stands at the northwest end of the village”

    J. Stylianou, "The Church of Kiti - Angeloktistos", Cyprus Today vol. 7, no. 4 (October–December 1969), p. 4.

  3. Undated

    Mosaic picture of the Virgin Mary and Child in the apse, dated 7th century.

    As printed

    “Panagia Angeloktistos at”

    J. Stylianou, "A Gold Encolpium from Lambousa-Lapithos", Cyprus Today vol. 3, no. 2 (March–April 1965), pp. 16–17, p. 16.

  4. Undated

    Source of a Byzantine mosaic shown in photograph, near Larnaca.

    As printed

    “A Byzantine mosaic from the church of Panayia Angeloktisti {Angels built) at Kiti, near Larnaca.”

    Anon., "Some monuments of Larnaca area", Cyprus Today vol. 19, no. 3 (September–December 1981), pp. 12–13, p. 12.

Pictures

16

In our archive · 9

Costas and Rita Severis Foundation2 paintings1953–1985
  • painting, 1953
  • painting, 1985-1988
Department of Antiquities of Cyprus4 photographs
  • Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, photographic archive, negative P1015048-1, via HISTORICA (University of Bologna), fonds «OUC Department of Antiquities Republic of Cyprus» (BYZART, Open University of Cyprus), hdl 20.500.14008/24725: «Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, Kiti, Church of Panagia (Our Lady) Angeloktiste, apse conch, wall paintings (P1015048-1)» Online
  • Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, photographic archive, negative P1015048-2, via HISTORICA (University of Bologna), fonds «OUC Department of Antiquities Republic of Cyprus» (BYZART, Open University of Cyprus), hdl 20.500.14008/24704: «Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, Church of Panagia (Our Lady) Angeloktiste, north view of the church (P1015048-2)» Online
  • Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, photographic archive, negative P1015048-3, via HISTORICA (University of Bologna), fonds «OUC Department of Antiquities Republic of Cyprus» (BYZART, Open University of Cyprus), hdl 20.500.14008/24730: «Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, Church of Panagia (Our Lady) Angeloktiste, nave, looking east, iconostasis (P1015048-3)» Online
  • Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, photographic archive, negative P1015048-4, via HISTORICA (University of Bologna), fonds «OUC Department of Antiquities Republic of Cyprus» (BYZART, Open University of Cyprus), hdl 20.500.14008/24709: «Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, Kiti, Church of Panagia (Our Lady) Angeloktiste, south-east view of the church (P1015048-4)» Online
Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology)1 film1969
  • Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology), film collection, F16-0402, «1969 #59 Cyprus», Watson Kintner, 1969, 17 min, shot list on the Internet Archive, (no timecodes in the shot list), 1969-06-23/1969-06-24 Online

Sources

  1. 1.Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, photographic archive, negative P1015048-3, via HISTORICA (University of Bologna), fonds «OUC Department of Antiquities Republic of Cyprus» (BYZART, Open University of Cyprus), hdl 20.500.14008/24730: «Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, Church of Panagia (Our Lady) Angeloktiste, nave, looking east, iconostasis (P1015048-3)» Online
  2. 2.Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, photographic archive, negative P1015048-2, via HISTORICA (University of Bologna), fonds «OUC Department of Antiquities Republic of Cyprus» (BYZART, Open University of Cyprus), hdl 20.500.14008/24704: «Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, Church of Panagia (Our Lady) Angeloktiste, north view of the church (P1015048-2)» Online
  3. 3.Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, photographic archive, negative P1015048-1, via HISTORICA (University of Bologna), fonds «OUC Department of Antiquities Republic of Cyprus» (BYZART, Open University of Cyprus), hdl 20.500.14008/24725: «Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, Kiti, Church of Panagia (Our Lady) Angeloktiste, apse conch, wall paintings (P1015048-1)» Online
  4. 4.Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, photographic archive, negative P1015048-4, via HISTORICA (University of Bologna), fonds «OUC Department of Antiquities Republic of Cyprus» (BYZART, Open University of Cyprus), hdl 20.500.14008/24709: «Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, Kiti, Church of Panagia (Our Lady) Angeloktiste, south-east view of the church (P1015048-4)» Online
  5. 5.Department of Antiquities, Cyprus, «Επισκέψιμα Αρχαία Μνημεία της Κύπρου» (Visitable Ancient Monuments of Cyprus), open dataset, first issued 8 February 2018, modified 16 January 2024, CC BY 4.0, row no. 2 Online
  6. 6.The Cyprus Gazette No. 1841 of 14 April 1927 (Notice No. 255), p. 17, PDF p. 201 Online
  7. 7.Supplement No. 1 to The Cyprus Gazette No. 2441 of 10 May 1935, A Bill entitled A Law to consolidate and amend the Law relating to Antiquities [the Antiquities Law, 1935], Second Schedule, District of Larnaca, item 3, p. 328, PDF p. 348 Online
  8. 8.Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology), film collection, F16-0402, «1969 #59 Cyprus», Watson Kintner, 1969, 17 min, shot list on the Internet Archive, (no timecodes in the shot list) Online
  9. 9.Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR), Costas and Rita Severis Foundation, Nicosia, online catalogue: pht_08339, “Church of Panagia Aggeloktisti”, 20th century, ; pht_09175, “Church of Panagia Aggeloktisti”, 20th century, https://cvar.severis.org/en/collections/item/church-of-panagia-aggeloktisti/31280/; pht_09176, “Church of Panagia Aggeloktisti”, 20th century, https://cvar.severis.org/en/collections/item/church-of-panagia-aggeloktisti-2/31281/; and 8 more records Online
  10. 10.Dimos Christou, «Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1992», Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 117 (1993), pp. 719-755, p. 755
  11. 11.Dimos Christou, «Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques à Chypre en 1995», Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 120 (1996), pp. 1051-1100, p. 1098
  12. 12.Vassos Karageorghis, «Chronique des fouilles à Chypre», Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 84 (1960), pp. 242-299, p. 295
  13. 13.Anon., "Byzantine Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 1, no. 3 (May–June 1963), pp. 20–21, p. 20.
  14. 14.Cleanthis Georgiades, "The Greek Character of the History of Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 2, no. 5 (September–October 1964), pp. 16–21, p. 20.
  15. 15.J. Stylianou, "A Gold Encolpium from Lambousa-Lapithos", Cyprus Today vol. 3, no. 2 (March–April 1965), pp. 16–17, p. 16.
  16. 16.Vassos Karageorghis, «Chronique des fouilles à Chypre», Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 84 (1960), pp. 242-299, p. 297
  17. 17.Colonial Office, Cyprus: Report for the Year 1958 (London: HMSO, 1959), p. 89
  18. 18.Anon., "Christmas Set of Stamps", Cyprus Today vol. 7, no. 4 (October–December 1969), pp. 2–3, p. 3.
  19. 19.J. Stylianou, "The Church of Kiti - Angeloktistos", Cyprus Today vol. 7, no. 4 (October–December 1969), p. 4.
  20. 20.Colonial Office, Cyprus: Report for the Year 1959 (London: HMSO, 1961), p. 87
  21. 21.Anon., "Cyprus Tourism: Progress and Future Prospects", Cyprus Today vol. 10, no. 3-4 (May–August 1972), pp. 18–23, p. 20.
  22. 22.Anon., "Cyprus tourism revitalized", Cyprus Today vol. 13, no. 5-6 (September–December 1975), pp. 37–41, p. 40.
  23. 23.Anon., "Some monuments of Larnaca area", Cyprus Today vol. 19, no. 3 (September–December 1981), pp. 12–13, p. 12.
  24. 24.Anon., "Larnaka: A Historical Survey", Cyprus Today vol. 47, no. 2 (April–June 2009), pp. 3–14, p. 8.

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