Chrysopolitissa Basilica and 'St Paul's Pillar', Paphos
Cyprus' largest early church and the column where tradition says Paul was flogged
Found 1971 — Department of Antiquities of Cyprus (excavations begun 1971 under Athanasios Papageorghiou; further seasons in the 1980s–1990s)
Where Kato Paphos (Ayia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa) (Cyprus)
Dates from Basilica c. 386–400 CE, rebuilt after 536, destroyed 653 CE; pillar Roman · Late Roman–Byzantine · Paul and Barnabas on Cyprus (Acts 13); 2 Corinthians 11:24
Now at In situ; open site around Ayia Kyriaki church
How Chrysopolitissa Basilica and 'St Paul's Pillar', Paphos was found
Digging around the small Ayia Kyriaki church and the free-standing column long venerated as Paul's, the Department exposed the plan of a seven-aisled basilica with atrium, mosaic floors and a Roman street and forum beneath.
What it is
The foundations and mosaic pavements of a basilica about 53 by 38 m, once with seven aisles, marble columns and a colonnaded atrium — the cathedral of Paphos. Among the ruins stands a short marble column, 'St Paul's Pillar', beside a Roman-period paved area; medieval and modern churches occupy the east end.
Why it matters for the Bible
Acts reports no flogging at Paphos, but Paul later says he was beaten five times by Jews and three times with rods (2 Corinthians 11:24–25), and a Cypriot tradition, recorded from the Middle Ages, fixed one of those beatings to this pillar. The basilica itself, begun in the late 4th century, shows the size of the Christian community in the city where the governor believed. The pillar tradition cannot be checked; the church is real archaeology.
The Hebrew word: SHOHT
שׁוֹט
שׁוֹט is pronounced SHOHT and means whip, scourge — the instrument of the beatings Paul lists (Strong's H7752).
People this discovery connects to
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (shah-OOL) — 'asked for'; Latin Paulus
Places
- Paphos — פָּפוֹס (PAH-fos) — Greek Paphos
Events
Paul's preaching at Paphos · Paul's beatings (tradition locates one here)
Chrysopolitissa Basilica and 'St Paul's Pillar', Paphos in Scripture
Acts 13:6 Paul and Barnabas at Paphos, the city later served by this cathedral.
Acts 13:13 One of only 2 verses that name Paphos.
Questions people ask
What is Chrysopolitissa Basilica and 'St Paul's Pillar', Paphos?
The foundations and mosaic pavements of a basilica about 53 by 38 m, once with seven aisles, marble columns and a colonnaded atrium — the cathedral of Paphos. Among the ruins stands a short marble column, 'St Paul's Pillar', beside a Roman-period paved area; medieval and modern churches occupy the east end.
When was Chrysopolitissa Basilica and 'St Paul's Pillar', Paphos discovered?
It was found in 1971 by Department of Antiquities of Cyprus (excavations begun 1971 under Athanasios Papageorghiou; further seasons in the 1980s–1990s), at Kato Paphos (Ayia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa).
Where is Chrysopolitissa Basilica and 'St Paul's Pillar', Paphos today?
In situ; open site around Ayia Kyriaki church.
Which Bible verses does Chrysopolitissa Basilica and 'St Paul's Pillar', Paphos relate to?
Acts 13:6, Acts 13:13.
Is Chrysopolitissa Basilica and 'St Paul's Pillar', Paphos authentic?
The basilica is securely excavated and dated. 'St Paul's Pillar' is a late tradition with no ancient evidence; the column is Roman but its story is not.
Related discoveries
- בֵּית הָאֲסוּרִיםMamertine Prison (Carcer Tullianum), RomeThe Forum dungeon where tradition holds Peter and Paul were held before death
- נְצִיבSergius Paulus InscriptionsStones from Cyprus, Rome, and Pisidian Antioch naming the proconsul who believed
- דֶּרֶךְVia Egnatia and the Port of NeapolisThe Roman highway and harbour that carried the Good News into Europe
- תַּרְשִׁישׁTarsus: The Roman Road and Cleopatra's GatePaved street and city gate of Paul's 'no mean city'
- בֵּימָהGallio Inscription (Delphi)Letter of Emperor Claudius naming Gallio proconsul of Achaia — the anchor date for Paul's ministry
- מָקוֹם תְּפִלָּהLydia's Baptism Site on the Gangites (Zygaktis) RiverThe riverside 'place of prayer' outside Philippi where Europe's first recorded believer was immersed
Sources
- History of Ayia Kyriaki Church by St Paul's Pillar (Anglican Church of Paphos)
- St Paul's Pillar – Panayia Chrysopolitissa (My Cyprus Travel)
Open Chrysopolitissa Basilica and 'St Paul's Pillar', Paphos in Hebrew Explorer →