Situated in the Mesaoria plain, at Pyroi (Nicosia district), on the east bank of the Yialias river is a tiny domed cross-in-square church with a semi-circular apse of the 12th century. The church is dedicated to St Antipas who lived during the time of Emperor Domitian or Nero and was ordained bishop of Pergamon. He was tortured by idolaters and died in 92AD. The Orthodox church celebrates his name on the 11th of April.
According to Eastern Orthodox traditions, St Antipas was the Antipas referred to in the Book of Revelation 2:13 as the verse says: "I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth."
St Antipas is invoked for relief from toothache and diseases of the teeth.
PNT-00561: St Antypas – Pyroi (Cyprus), Frank Wooton, oil painting, ca. 1950
© Costas and Rita Severis Foundation
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