Press and Information Office, Republic of Cyprus: Lythragkomi, Panagia Kanakaria (2B-067-004)

Lythragkomi, Panagia Kanakaria, dome: fragments of paintings (second half of the 12th c.); apse: mosaic depicting in the centre the enthroned Virgin with Christ within a mandorla, flanked by archangels, and above them a register with the busts of the apostles in medallions. In 1979 mosaics were ripped from the walls of the church and sold on the art market. Law courts decided that they should be returned to Cyprus, where some mosaic fragments are on display in the Byzantine Museum of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation.