Religions symbiosis in an importand archaeological side:
Agioi Saranta/Kirklar Tekke at Tymbou
English Summary
The shrine of Agioi Saranta/Kirklar Tekke is situated between the Greek village of Tymbou and the Turkish village of Ayia Kebir in Nicosia district. It was a place of symbiosis between the two monotheistic religions in Cyprus, Christianity and Islam. The first written source about the presence of Muslims Dervishes there is of 1746. Since the Dervish lodge was influenced by Christianity, it was probably easier for them to play a significant role in the effort for islamisation of the nearby villages.
Despite the fact that relics of the Forty Martyrs of Sebasteia (Agioi Saranta) are reported by Leontios Machairas as existing in Cyprus even since the 14th century and most probably earlier, the shrine of the Agioi Saranta is not their burial place since their Martyrium was in Sebasteia (Sivas, Turkey) in the eastern Pontus. The time of consecration of the place to the Agioi Saranta is unknown.
The Hellenistic or Roman underground rock cut vaulted tomb with side loculi, was probably used as a burial place also by Christians, as is evident from the Paleochristian basilica, which was found recently (2007) in the west yard of the small mosque (mescit). The underground chamber was enlarged by the openings of the side corridors, which gave the monument a three aisled character.
The basilica has at least two chronological phases; the first is of the 5th century and the second of the first half of the 6th century, as we can assume from the mosaics, which belong to the aforementioned periods. The mosaics of the 5th century are of geometrical character only and similar motifs can be found in Antioch. The existing mosaics of the second phase, are in the presbytery, and depict animals, birds and one sea creature. These depictions are of no direct theological meaning. However they probably represent an allegory of the cosmos. Several patterns, such as the bear which attacks a deer or the bird that pecked a snake are to be found for the first time in Cyprus. The two seated animals, a deer and a sheep, seem to have their prototype in the Xenia of the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The influence of Syria is again obvious in the mosaics of the 6th cent.
The use of lime mortar instead of marble is extensive. The panels (Thorakia) resemble the similar ones of the nearby Paleochristian basilica of Marathovouno.
The shrine of the Agioi Saranta/Kirklar Tekke is one of many examples of co-existence of Christianity and Islam not only in Cyprus, but in other places as well, indicating that religions can be models of peaceful relations between people of different cultural backgrounds.
Andreas M. Foulias
Theologian-Byzantinologist