A rare Cypriot icon dated back in the 16th century was
located recently in Istanbul. The Christian Orthodox icon depicts local
Cypriot Saint John and presents one of four of the same themes that have
ever been preserved.
The finding is temporarily stored on the premises of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate in Istanbul. Cypriot clergy, monks and citizens are
believed to have traveled to Conastantinople (Istanbul)and carried the rare icon with
them to protect it.
The Saint John icon has been severely damaged by Turks who desecrated
Orthodox churches at the time of the events of September 1958. The
right and bottom part of the icon is missing, while the painted surface
has been partly destroyed. From a hidden signature on the icon it was
discovered that it was dedicated to the local Cypriot “Saint John the
Lambadistis (:Illuminator),” during a restoration process that took place recently.
The local Saint is believed to have lived in the 11th
century and probably died at a very young age. The monastery of Saint
John the Lambadistis is located in the village of Kalopanayiotis in
Cyprus.
There are only four icons preserved depicting Saint John the
Lambadistis who came from the village of Lampadou or Lampadistos, which
was near the present villages of Mitsero and Galata.
The icon, as preserved, has a 121×54 cm surface and a 2.9 cm depth.
Icons of the same unique shape have been found in Cyprus and the finding
is believed to have been located in Orthodox pilgrimage places. Saint
John is depicted in an early age, with brown curly hair and no beard.
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