Paul and Barnabas visited
the city of Salamis on the eastern coast of Cyprus during the First
Missionary Journey. Salamis which rivalled Paphos on the western coast
was a major commercial harbour for principle exports of the island such
as copper and timber. There was a great Jewish community having more than
one synagogue.
"when they arrived at
Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of Jews"
Paphos
Acts 13:6-12
Paul and Barnabas
preached the gospel to mainly to Jews while they crossed the island from
east to west. Finally they arrived to Paphos. Paphos was the capital
city of Roman rule in Cyprus and the center of the worship for Aphrodite,
goddess of love and beauty. The city had evil reputation for laxity of
morals.
In Paphos Paul and
Barnabas met Roman Proconsul, Sergius Paulos who wanted to hear the word
of God. A sorcerer called Elymas wanted to turn him away from his faith.
But Paul blinded him temporally. Witnessing to what happened to Elymas,
Sergius Paulos believed. From this point on Saul used this Roman name
Paul.
