One of the few surviving Byzantine-era churches in Cyprus, the Church of St Lazarus is located in the centre of Larnaca. The church was built in the 9th century during the reign of Emperor Leo VI in honour of the righteous Lazarus, whom the Bible says Jesus brought back to life. After his resurrection, he became one of the most zealous preachers of Christianity. After several decades the saint died and was buried in Cyprus. It was on the site of his grave and the temple was built, but his relics the ruler decided to move to the capital of the empire - Constantinople.
The new church was a large building with an apse and three domes, as well as a high bell tower. But almost every time the power on the island changed, the church was rebuilt. The first time it happened in the XIII century, when Cyprus was ruled by the Lusignan dynasty, the second time - during the Venetians. At the same time the temple was taken over by the Catholic Church. Later, the Ottomans who invaded the island turned it into a mosque, destroying the domes and bell tower. However, the Turks soon decided to sell the building and it was once again taken over by the Christians. For some time both Orthodox and Catholic services were held there. In the XVIII century a unique gilded baroque iconostasis carved from wood appeared in the church. It is decorated with a large number of icons, which are made with special care. But the bell tower was restored only in the XIX century, before that the bells were simply attached to a wooden pole.
When after the independence of Cyprus in the temple was renovated, under the altar was found a marble sarcophagus. As research has shown, the remains that were in it, belong to St Lazarus. Apparently, they were taken to Constantinople only partially.
