Significant publication of the A. G. Leventis Foundation and the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation

The A. G. Leventis Foundation and the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation announce the publication of a volume on the church of Panagia tou Arakos. The well-known church of Panagia tou Arakos, built at the end of the 12^th century between the villages of Lagoudera and Saranti in Pitsilia area, is one of the most important cultural heritage monuments of Cyprus and of Byzantine art. The inclusion of the church in the Unesco World Heritage Monuments List is an acknowledgment of its key importance in the history of Byzantine art.

The collective volume The church of Panagia tou Arakos is published by the A. G. Leventis Foundation and the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation at the initiative, encouragement and blessings of the Metropolitan of Morphou Neophytos and with the support of the Department of Antiquities. It is the first monography of the monument worthy of the monument’s historical and artistic value. The editors of the book are Ath. Papageorghiou, Ch. Bakirtzis and Chr. Hadjichristodoulou.

Eight elaborate studies present Panagia tou Arakos in 135 pages: the history of the monastery of Panagia tou Arakos (Ath. Papageorghiou), the architecture of the church (Sl. Curcic), the frescoes of the 12^th and 14^th centuries (Ch. Konstantinidi), the inscriptions of the frescoes (P. Agapitos), the theological interpretation of the iconography (Metropolitan of Morphou Neophytos), the frescoes of the 17^th century, the wood-carved iconostasis and the artefacts and the icons of the church (Ch. Hadjichristodoulou) and the role of incoming light within the church (Ch. Bakirtzis and Ioannis Iliadis).

The publication is complete with drawings executed by R. Anderson and 152 colour photographs of great accuracy, which fully reflect the high artistic quality and spiritual character of the monument. The photographic imprint is accompanied by linear drawings of the inner facades of the church, on which the frescoes are placed and numbered.

The publication may be purchased from the Anastasios G. Leventis Foundation for the price of 80,00 euros. The book presentation shall take place at the Foundation’s lecture hall (40, Gladstone street, Nicosia) on the 3^rd of May.