St Lazarus Church, Larnaca - Cyprus

Saint Lazarus is the patron saint of Larnaca. After his resurrection by Christ, he lived in Larnaca for another 30 years. He was ordained Bishop of Kition by St Barnabas and St Paul.
 

St Lazarus's Church, which has relics of the Saint created in his honor, is situated in the old town of Larnaca, Cyprus. It may also be spelt St Lazaros Church.
 

The church was built in the ninth century by Byzantine Emperor Leo VI over the tomb of St Lazarus and was later restored in the 17th century.  
 

It has a distinctive white painted belfry which escaped the Turkish ban on such structures. There are four domes over the nave and the roof is supported by four sets of double columns. The stonework is mainly limestone.

Uniquely placed in one of the columns is the pulpit which has been lavishly decorated in gilt. Another column contains a silver icon with a picture of St Lazarus from 1659. There are also paintings of St George and the Dragon and the Virgin and Child.
 
There is a small museum in the church containing beautiful exhibits of Byzantine religious art and icons. 

The icon of St Lazarus is paraded through the streets of Larnaca by the Priest of St Lazarus Church eight days before the Greek Orthodox Easter.