Paphos

A city—called Kouklia today—on the western end of Cyprus visited by Paul and Barnabas (and John Mark) during the so-called First Missionary Journey, where they were invited to meet with Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, who wanted to hear about the gospel. They were, however, opposed by the proconsul's attendant, a sorcerer named Elymas. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit rebuked Elymas, whereupon Elymas was blinded. Witnessing the power of the gospel Paulus became a believer (Acts 13:6-12).

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Paphos was an ancient city, immersed in ten thousand years of myths and history, and a cult center for the worship of the goddess Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Conveniently located on the sealanes between Asia and Europe, Paphos was an important administrative and commercial center; good reasons for a Roman proconsul like Sergius Paulus to base himself there. It seemed to have suffered a major earthquake some time in the 1st Cent BC but was restored by Augustus. It continued to proper in later centuries until its importance was overtaken by Nicosia. Paphos and its environ—including the UN Heritage archaeological park—is a highly popular tourist spot.