Posted on 06/12/2005 1:59:23 PM PDT by Destro
[Turks allow] First services after 1974 at church of founder of Church of Cyprus [Saint Barnabas]
CNA - Nicosia-Cyprus - 11/6/2005 13:38
1340:CYPPRESS:01
First services after 1974 at church of founder of Church of Cyprus
Nicosia Jun 11 (CNA) -- For the first time since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, church services were held at the small monastery of the founder of the Church of Cyprus Saint Barnabas, in the northeast part of the island.
Bishop Trimithountos Vasilios officiated the evening service for todays religious day honoring the founder of the Church of Cyprus, in a somber but emotional atmosphere.
The Bishop was assisted by other clergy, who led the congregation to prayer.
June 11, 2007
![]() St. Barnabas
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Barnabas, a Jew of Cyprus, comes as close as anyone outside the Twelve to being a full-fledged apostle. He was closely associated with St. Paul (he introduced Paul to Peter and the other apostles) and served as a kind of mediator between the former persecutor and the still suspicious Jewish Christians.
When a Christian community developed at Antioch, Barnabas was sent as the official representative of the Church of Jerusalem to incorporate them into the fold. He and Paul instructed in Antioch for a year, after which they took relief contributions to Jerusalem. Later, Paul and Barnabas, now clearly seen as charismatic leaders, were sent by Antioch officials to preach to the Gentiles. Enormous success crowned their efforts. After a miracle at Lystra, the people wanted to offer sacrifice to them as godsBarnabas being Zeus, and Paul, Hermesbut the two said, We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God (see Acts 14:8-18). But all was not peaceful. They were expelled from one town, they had to go to Jerusalem to clear up the ever-recurring controversy about circumcision and even the best of friends can have differences. When Paul wanted to revisit the places they had evangelized, Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark, his cousin, author of the Gospel, but Paul insisted that, since Mark had deserted them once, he was not fit to take along now. The disagreement that followed was so sharp that Barnabas and Paul separated, Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus, Paul taking Silas to Syria. Later, they were reconciledPaul, Barnabas and Mark. When Paul stood up to Peter for not eating with Gentiles for fear of his Jewish friends, we learn that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy (see Galatians 2:1-13).
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Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Memorial
June 11th
San Barnabas Altarpiece - detail (Madonna Enthroned with Saints)
Saint Barnabas with the Virgin and Child
Sandro Botticelli
1490
Tempera on wood, 268 x 280 cm
Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence
Saint Barnabas was a Jew from Cyprus. The Holy Spirit destined Barnabas to a universal mission, as it was he who introduced St. Paul to the other apostles, paving the way for that broad apostolate of St. Paul's which required the approval of the pillars of the Church. He was with Paul in the first missionary journey and at the first Council of Jerusalem. After having converted many souls to Christ, Barnabas died in Cyprus during Nero's reign; tradition has it that he was stoned to death. His name is included in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).
Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003
Collect:
God our Father,
You filled Saint Barnabas with faith and the Holy Spirit
and sent him to convert the nations.
Help us to proclaim the Gospel by word and deed.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God , for ever and ever. +Amen.First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 11:21b-26; 13:1-3
A great number that believed turned to the Lord.
News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord.
So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Mana-en a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 10:7-13
Jesus said to His apostles, "Preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay. Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. As you enter the house, salute it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you."
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