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Church · Ancient Monument

Church of Panagia Kanakaria

Lythrangomi, Famagusta District · Early Byzantine/Late Antique Period; Middle Byzantine Period · In the area occupied by Turkey since 1974

Church of Panagia Kanakaria: a church in Lythrangomi, Famagusta District, in the area occupied by Turkey since 1974. Declared an Ancient Monument in 1927. 4 dated records of work on it, 1949 to 1991, with sources.

Famagusta District, about 35°29′ N, 34°10′ E

  • Other recorded site
  • Contours every 50 m
The pin marks the village of Lythrangomi, not the building. Approximate location. Open in the map →

Protection

Antiquities Law
  1. 14 April 1927

    Declared an Ancient Monument, No. 255

    “The Monastery and the Church of Kanakaria”

    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, Famagusta item 4

    “The Monastery and the Church of Kanakaria”

    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 Famagusta, item 4, p. 328, PDF p. 348 Online

What was done when

5 records
  1. 1949

    The repair of the church, begun in 1941, was resumed on behalf of the Archbishopric.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “At Lythrangomi the repair of the Kanakaria church, begun in 1941 , was resumed on behalf of the Archbishopric”

    Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1949 (London: HMSO, 1950), p. 46

  2. 1950

    The Department of Antiquities carried out works for the Archbishopric.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “Kanakaria church, Lythrangomi (Archbishopric)”

    Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1950 (London: HMSO, 1951), p. 53

  3. 1954

    The cost of repairs was shared with the Archbishopric.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “The cost of repairs to the Kanakaria church and Stavrovouni Monastery was shared”

    Colonial Office, Colonial Reports: Cyprus 1954 (London: HMSO, 1955), p. 127

  4. 1991

    6th century mosaics from Kanakaria church; adjudicated in US courts in the 1980s and restored to the Church of Cyprus in 1991.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “the 6th century unique mosaics from the Kanakaria church adjudicated in the courts of the United States of America in the 1980s and restored to their rightful owner, the Church of Cyprus, in 1991.”

    Anon., "War and Cultural Heritage", Cyprus Today vol. 43, no. 3-4 (July–December 2005), pp. 58–61, p. 61.

  5. Undated

    Church adjoining Lythrankomi village with 6th-century apse mosaics; built late 5th century, damaged by earthquake 526, restored 7th century, 12th century and 16th century; mosaics survived Iconoclasm.

    Repair and conservation

    As printed

    “The St. Andrew Mosaic in the Church of Panayia Kanakaria”

    Dorothy E. Weihrauch, "The St. Andrew mosaic in the Church of Panagia Kanakaria", Cyprus Today vol. 27, no. 2-3 (April–September 1989), pp. 6–8, p. 6.

In the literature

18
  1. 1500

    Later fresco with saints Solomon and Eleazar in the church; in the Turkish-occupied part of the island.

    As printed

    “a fresco of later date with saints Solomon (C]OA[OMΩNH]) and Eleazar (c. 1500) in the church of Panagia Kanakaria at Lythrangomi”

    Dionysios Mourelatos (2021). Art and Archaeology in Byzantium and Beyond: Essays in honour of Sophia Kalopissi-Verti and Maria Panayotidi-Kesisoglou. In BAR International Series 3046. Oxford, BAR Publishing. p. 61.

  2. 1974

    Four 6th-century Byzantine mosaics were stripped from the church in Lythrankomi, Turkish-occupied Karpass; church under Turkish occupation since 1974.

    As printed

    “four 6th-century Byzantine mosaics stripped from Kanakaria church of Lythrankomi village in the island's Turkish-occupied”

    Anon., "Kanakaria Mosaics on the Way Home", Cyprus Today vol. 28, no. 3-4 (July–December 1990), p. 24.

  3. 1979

    Rare 6th century church with apse mosaic of Virgin Mary with Christ between two angels; inner decoration destroyed by invaders while attempting to take mosaics for sale in 1979; apse left bare.

    As printed

    “While attempting to take out the invaluable mosaics in order to sell them in 1979 th conquerors completely destroyed the inner decoration.”

    George Georgia, "Cyprus — 9,000 years of works of civilisation being plundered", Cyprus Today vol. 23, no. 2 (April–June 1985), pp. 32–35, p. 32.

  4. Undated

    17th-century donation deeds show it held waqf mills, including grain mills, in Cyprus.

    As printed

    “as seen in the 17th century donation deeds of the Kanakaria Monastery, which also include grain mills.”

    Charlotte Schriwer (2015). Water and Technology in Levantine Society, 1300–1900: An Historical, Archaeological and Architectural Analysis. In BAR International Series 2728. Oxford, BAR Publishing. p. 91.

  5. Undated

    6th century mosaics from this church, in the occupied part of Famagusta district near Lythrangomi, were stolen and exported; depicted on Kanakaria Christmas cards.

    As printed

    “These cards depict the famous 6th century mosaics from the church of Panagia Kanakaria near Lythrangomi in the occupied part of Famagusta district.”

    Athanassios Papageorghiou, "The Church of Panagia Astathkiotissa or Panagia ton Astathkion", Cyprus Today vol. 29, no. 3 (July–September 1991), pp. 32–33, p. 33.

  6. Undated

    Apse mosaics removed and sold abroad or destroyed.

    As printed

    “The mosaics of the apse of the church of Panayia Kanakaria in the village of Lythrangomi have been removed and sold abroad or destroyed.”

    Harry B V Hagopian; A. Papageorghiou, "Armenian Art & Culture", Cyprus Today vol. 28, no. 1 (January–March 1990), pp. 18–20, p. 20.

12 more
  1. Undated

    Apse mosaics removed and sold abroad or destroyed.

    As printed

    “The mosaics of the apse of the church of Panayia Kanakaria in the village of Lythrangomi have been removed and sold abroad or destroyed.”

    A. Papageorghiou, "The return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin", Cyprus Today vol. 28, no. 1 (January–March 1990), pp. 20–22, p. 20.

  2. Undated

    Building from the 6th-12th century A.D.; mosaic illustrated.

    As printed

    “46. The church of the Virgin of Kanakaria at Lithrangomi, Famagusta. Building from the 6th-12th century”

    Anon., "Stamps with Themes Taken from the Occupied Area of Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 22, no. 2-3 (May–December 1984), pp. 19–26, p. 23.

  3. Undated

    Byzantine church with excellent mosaics and frescoes, in occupied area.

    As printed

    “Panayia Kanakaria at Lythrankomi, Akhiropietos at Lambousa”

    D. CHRISTOU, "Cypriote Antiquities in Turkish Occupied Areas", Cyprus Today vol. 12, no. 3-4 (May–August 1974), pp. 46–51, p. 49.

  4. Undated

    Early 6th-century Byzantine mosaic in apse of Kanakaria church, Lythrangomi, Famagusta district; stripped after invasion, medallions recovered in Germany and Indianapolis.

    As printed

    “Simplement quelques pierres de couleur, dispersees sur un mur saccage.”

    Georges Lycourgos, "Consequences de l'occupation Turque sur le patrimoine culturel de Chypre", Cyprus Today vol. 29, no. 1 (January–March 1991), pp. 11–16, p. 12.

  5. Undated

    Mosaic of St. Andrew in roundel from apse arch used for 1967 stamp; mosaic dates to 6th century A.D.

    As printed

    “The stamp depicts St. Andrew in a roundel which forms part of the mosaic decoration of the inner face of the arch of the apse of the Church of Panayia Kanakaria at Lythrangomi.”

    George Eliades, "Industrial Development", Cyprus Today vol. 5, no. 3-4 (July–December 1967), pp. 8–9, PDF p. 11.

  6. Undated

    Mosaic picture of the Virgin Mary and Child in the apse, dated 6th century.

    As printed

    “the apse of Panagia Kanakaria at Lythrankomi (6th c.)”

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

  7. Undated

    Named among churches whose photographs show destruction and sacrilege by Turkish invaders.

    As printed

    “the Panayia of Kanakaria to mention only a few, speak plainly for themselves.”

    Ernst Hammerschmidt, "History is being uprooted from its foundations in the occupied areas", Cyprus Today vol. 25, no. 1 (January–March 1987), pp. 11–14, p. 11.

  8. Undated

    Six mosaics from the church were exhibited, dating to the first years of Justinian's rule, 525-530 A.D.; considered very important as few have survived.

    As printed

    “Six mosaics from the church of "Panayia tis Kanakarias" were exhibited, dating back to the first years of the Emperor's Justinianos rule between 525-530 A.D.”

    Anon., "Byzantine Icons from the Autocephalous Church of Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 33, no. 2-3 (May–October 1995), pp. 50–51, p. 51.

  9. Undated

    Sixth-century church; a mosaic was hacked from its walls and was among the objects found in Munich.

    As printed

    “a mosaic hacked from the walls of the sixth-century Kanakaria church”

    Tasoula Hadjitofi, "Stolen treasures returned", Cyprus Today vol. 51, no. 4 (October–December 2013), pp. 11–14, p. 12.

  10. Undated

    Source of mosaics stolen; apse mosaic fragment dated 525-530 A.D. shown in the feature.

    As printed

    “Mosaic fragment from the apse of the church of Panayia Kanakaria Lythrangomi - 525-530 A.D.”

    Anon., "Cypriot Treasures Recovered", Cyprus Today vol. 35, no. 3-4 (July–December 1997), pp. 53–56, p. 53.

  11. Undated

    Stamp (15 mils) reproduces a detail of the apse mosaic in the church, 6th century.

    As printed

    “15 mils Detail of the Apse mosaic in the Church of Panayia Kanakaria at Lythrangomi, 6th century.”

    Anon., "News in Brief", Cyprus Today vol. 9, no. 1-2 (January–June 1971), pp. 53–59, p. 59.

  12. Undated

    Stamp depicts St. Andrew from roundel of mosaic decoration of apse arch, dated to the 6th century A.D.

    As printed

    “The stamp depicts St. Andrew in a roundel which forms part of the mosaic decoration of the inner face of the arch of the apse of the Church of Panayia Kanakaria at Lythrangomi.”

    Anon., "New Stamp Issues", Cyprus Today vol. 5, no. 3-4 (July–December 1967), pp. 10–11, PDF p. 11.

Pictures

3

In our archive · 1

Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation1 film1972
  • Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (ΡΙΚ), film and video archive, Digital Herodotus item 1650: «ΠΑΝΑΓΙΑ Η ΚΑΝΑΚΑΡΙΑ», 7 September 1972, 00:16:19, 1972-09-07 Online
Department of Antiquities of Cyprus1 photograph1965
  • Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, photographic archive, negative B18398, via HISTORICA (University of Bologna), fonds «OUC Department of Antiquities Republic of Cyprus» (BYZART, Open University of Cyprus), hdl 20.500.14008/25182: «Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, Lythragkomi, Church of Panagia (Our Lady) of Kanakaria, south-west view of the church (B18398)», Photograph taken 1965 Online

Sources

  1. 1.Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, photographic archive, negative B18398, via HISTORICA (University of Bologna), fonds «OUC Department of Antiquities Republic of Cyprus» (BYZART, Open University of Cyprus), hdl 20.500.14008/25182: «Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus, Lythragkomi, Church of Panagia (Our Lady) of Kanakaria, south-west view of the church (B18398)», Photograph taken 1965 Online
  2. 2.The Cyprus Gazette No. 1841 of 14 April 1927 (Notice No. 255), p. 17, PDF p. 201 Online
  3. 3.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 Famagusta, item 4, p. 328, PDF p. 348 Online
  4. 4.Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR), Costas and Rita Severis Foundation, Nicosia, online catalogue: pht_TEB_0358, “Panagia Kanakaria”, 1950-1970 Online
  5. 5.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (ΡΙΚ), film and video archive, Digital Herodotus item 1650: «ΠΑΝΑΓΙΑ Η ΚΑΝΑΚΑΡΙΑ», 7 September 1972, 00:16:19 Online
  6. 6.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (ΡΙΚ), film and video archive, Digital Herodotus item 3701: «THE STOLEN MOSAICS OF CANADA - THE ΤΑ KANAKARIA MOSAICS ΤΑ ΚΛΑΠΕΝΤΑ ΨΗΦΙΔΩΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΑΝΑΚΑΡΙΑΣ - THE STOLEN KANAKARIA MOSAICS», 1990, 00:50:20 Online
  7. 7.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (ΡΙΚ), film and video archive, Digital Herodotus item 4857: «ΨΗΦΙΔΩΤΑ ΚΑΝΑΚΑΡΙΑΣ - ΔΙΚΗ - 1989 CANAKARIA MOSAIC - DI 1989», 2 June 1989, 00:14:24 Online
  8. 8.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (ΡΙΚ), film and video archive, Digital Herodotus item 4859: «ΨΗΦΙΔΩΤΑ ΚΑΝΑΚΑΡΙΑΣ - ΔΙΚΗ - 1989 CANAKARIA MOSAIC - DI 1989», 31 May 1989, 00:01:37 Online
  9. 9.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (ΡΙΚ), film and video archive, Digital Herodotus item 4861: «ΠΑΝΑΓΙΑ ΚΑΝΑΚΑΡΙΑ - ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ - ΨΗΦΙΔΩΤΑ - ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟΣ», April 1989, 00:01:47 Online
  10. 10.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (ΡΙΚ), film and video archive, Digital Herodotus item 5071: «ΨΗΦΙΔΩΤΑ ΚΑΝΑΚΑΡΙΑΣ - ΜΙΧΑΛΑΚΗΣ ΚΥΠΡΙΑΝΟΥ - ΣΥΝΕΝΤΕΥΞΗ - 1989 CANAKARIA-MIHALAKIS CYPRIAN MOSAIC - INTERVIEW - 1989», 9 June 1989, 00:03:24 Online
  11. 11.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (ΡΙΚ), film and video archive, Digital Herodotus item 5072: «ΨΗΦΙΔΩΤΑ ΚΑΝΑΚΑΡΙΑΣ - ΔΙΚΗ», 30 May 1989, 00:01:59 Online
  12. 12.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (ΡΙΚ), film and video archive, Digital Herodotus item 5082: «CANAKARIA MOSAIC - DI 1989 ΨΗΦΙΔΩΤΑ ΚΑΝΑΚΑΡΙΑΣ - ΔΙΚΗ - 1989», 5 August 1989, 00:04:36 Online
  13. 13.Charlotte Schriwer (2015). Water and Technology in Levantine Society, 1300–1900: An Historical, Archaeological and Architectural Analysis. In BAR International Series 2728. Oxford, BAR Publishing. p. 91.
  14. 14.Dionysios Mourelatos (2021). Art and Archaeology in Byzantium and Beyond: Essays in honour of Sophia Kalopissi-Verti and Maria Panayotidi-Kesisoglou. In BAR International Series 3046. Oxford, BAR Publishing. p. 61.
  15. 15.Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1949 (London: HMSO, 1950), p. 46
  16. 16.Colonial Office, Report on Cyprus for the Year 1950 (London: HMSO, 1951), p. 53
  17. 17.J. Stylianou, "A Gold Encolpium from Lambousa-Lapithos", Cyprus Today vol. 3, no. 2 (March–April 1965), pp. 16–17, p. 16.
  18. 18.Colonial Office, Colonial Reports: Cyprus 1954 (London: HMSO, 1955), p. 127
  19. 19.George Eliades, "Industrial Development", Cyprus Today vol. 5, no. 3-4 (July–December 1967), pp. 8–9, PDF p. 11.
  20. 20.Anon., "New Stamp Issues", Cyprus Today vol. 5, no. 3-4 (July–December 1967), pp. 10–11, PDF p. 11.
  21. 21.Anon., "News in Brief", Cyprus Today vol. 9, no. 1-2 (January–June 1971), pp. 53–59, p. 59.
  22. 22.D. CHRISTOU, "Cypriote Antiquities in Turkish Occupied Areas", Cyprus Today vol. 12, no. 3-4 (May–August 1974), pp. 46–51, p. 49.
  23. 23.Anon., "Stamps with Themes Taken from the Occupied Area of Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 22, no. 2-3 (May–December 1984), pp. 19–26, p. 23.
  24. 24.George Georgia, "Cyprus — 9,000 years of works of civilisation being plundered", Cyprus Today vol. 23, no. 2 (April–June 1985), pp. 32–35, p. 32.
  25. 25.Ernst Hammerschmidt, "History is being uprooted from its foundations in the occupied areas", Cyprus Today vol. 25, no. 1 (January–March 1987), pp. 11–14, p. 11.
  26. 26.Dorothy E. Weihrauch, "The St. Andrew mosaic in the Church of Panagia Kanakaria", Cyprus Today vol. 27, no. 2-3 (April–September 1989), pp. 6–8, p. 6.
  27. 27.Harry B V Hagopian; A. Papageorghiou, "Armenian Art & Culture", Cyprus Today vol. 28, no. 1 (January–March 1990), pp. 18–20, p. 20.
  28. 28.A. Papageorghiou, "The return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin", Cyprus Today vol. 28, no. 1 (January–March 1990), pp. 20–22, p. 20.
  29. 29.Anon., "Kanakaria Mosaics on the Way Home", Cyprus Today vol. 28, no. 3-4 (July–December 1990), p. 24.
  30. 30.Georges Lycourgos, "Consequences de l'occupation Turque sur le patrimoine culturel de Chypre", Cyprus Today vol. 29, no. 1 (January–March 1991), pp. 11–16, p. 12.
  31. 31.Athanassios Papageorghiou, "The Church of Panagia Astathkiotissa or Panagia ton Astathkion", Cyprus Today vol. 29, no. 3 (July–September 1991), pp. 32–33, p. 33.
  32. 32.Anon., "Byzantine Icons from the Autocephalous Church of Cyprus", Cyprus Today vol. 33, no. 2-3 (May–October 1995), pp. 50–51, p. 51.
  33. 33.Anon., "Cypriot Treasures Recovered", Cyprus Today vol. 35, no. 3-4 (July–December 1997), pp. 53–56, p. 53.
  34. 34.Anon., "War and Cultural Heritage", Cyprus Today vol. 43, no. 3-4 (July–December 2005), pp. 58–61, p. 61.
  35. 35.Anon., "History Lost", Cyprus Today vol. 44, no. 2 (April–June 2006), pp. 49–52, p. 52.
  36. 36.Tasoula Hadjitofi, "Stolen treasures returned", Cyprus Today vol. 51, no. 4 (October–December 2013), pp. 11–14, p. 12.

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