Former Shrine of Bishop
In the early 14th century, the Church of Saint Simeon in Famagusta was described as the metochion of a Sinai monastery.
Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Egypt, controlled by the autonomous Church of Sinai and part of the wider Greek Orthodox Church, had lands on Cyprus.
The Sinai founded the priory Saint Simeon, which pope John XXII endowed with privileges in 1334.
Saint Simeon is one of three original churches remaining in the south east corner of Famagusta that were built during Byzantine rule of the island, the others being Ayia Zoni and St. Nikolas.
An orthodox Bishopric was established at an early date, and the Agios Simeon became the Orthodox Cathedral when citizens of Salamis moved to Famagusta.
The cathedral was cruciform in shape and would have supported a dome. There were two aisles, each showcasing a semi-circular apse. These apses each would have had an altar, situated behind a decorated iconostasis.
It is reputed that the remains of St. Epiphanios Bishop of Salamis, were once enshrined at this spot. However not his final resting place, the remains were taken to Constantinople by Emperor Leo in the 9th century.
The St. George church is also attached to the north wall of the Simeon, dedicated to this Bishop who had gained a reputation as a strong defender of orthodoxy. The Orthodox community built this newer and grander church alongside the old Simone which later became abandoned.
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