8 Byzantine Era: There is a longstanding relationship between the Armenians and Cyprus, possibly dating back to the 5th century BC. However, Armenians have had a continuous documented presence on the island since 578 AD. During his campaign against the Persian King Chosroes I, Byzantine General Maurice the Cappadocian captured 10.090 Armenians in Arzanene, of whom about 3.350 were transferred to Cyprus. Judging by the strategic position of the colonies they established (Armenokhori, Arminou, Kornokipos, Patriki, Platani, Spathariko and perhaps Mousere), it is very likely that they served Byzantium as mercenary soldiers and frontiersmen. More Armenians arrived in the subsequent centuries, for political, commercial and military reasons. During the mid-Byzantine period, Armenian generals and governors served in Cyprus, like Alexios Mousere (868-874), Basil Haigaz (958), Vahram (965), Elpidios Vrakhamios (1075-1085) and Leo of Symbatices (910-911), who undertook the construction of Saint Lazarus’ basilica in Larnaka. In 973, Catholicos Khatchig I established the Armenian Bishopric in Nicosia. After Isaac Comnenus’ wedding to the daughter of the Armenian prince Thoros II in 1185, Armenian nobles and warriors came with him to Cyprus, many of whom defended the island against Richard the Lionheart (1191) and the Knights Templar (1192). A Brief History THE ARMENIANS OF CYPRUS l The medieval church of the Virgin Mary of Ganchvor in walled Famagusta (2004).