Antiphonitis Church
The
Antiphonitis church was the center of a monastery. It dates from
the end of the 12th century and was built by a monk from Asia
Minor. The dome of the edifice rests on eight stone columns which
form an octagon. The two columns in the east are detached from the
walls and mark the division of the altar. This architecture is
very unusual for Cyprus. Its barrel vaulted narthex and arcade,
which was once roofed, were added in the 15th century. The stone
balustrade between the arches and wood and clay rood of its arcade
have not survived.
The name
Antiphonitis when loosely translated means 'Christ who Responds'.
Some of its surviving frescoes are original. Among these, the
Virgin Blachernitissa - with the figure of the bust of Christ
Child in her bosom - flanked by Gabriel and Michael, occupies the
conch of the apse. Archangel Michael is encountered once more
holding a parchment script on the upper part of the detached north
column. On the south-west wall of the nave the blue hooded figure
of St. Anthony and the scene of the Baptism can be distinguished.
On the lower half of the column on this side St. Endoxus and to
the left St. Paul are placed.
The rest of the
frescoes are from the 15th century. The dome is occupied by the
fissure of the Christ Pantokrator represented inside a medallion
surrounded by angels in the scene of the Preparation of the
Throne, which is flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist.
The twelve apostles seated on their thrones and the images of
prophets represented beyond accompany the scene.
Kyrenia 
