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RICAUT. A email volume, entitled Wie present »täte of the Greek and Armenian Chnrvhent Anno ('liristi 1679, was "written, at the command of his Majesty** Charles II., by Paul Rlcaut, Enquire, late Consul at Smyrna, and Fellow of the Royal Society, ami printed at London, in ISmo, 1679. I transcribe from pp. 89—95 an account of the church in Cyprus ; and from pp. 213—215 a note on the longevity of the monks of Kykkoo, The Island of Cyprus was in its ecclesiastical government subjected once tu the Patriarch of Antioch, but afterwards by the Council of Kphesns as canon the eighth, and the saine again confirmed by the grace and favoni- of Justinian the Eiuperour (whose mother was a Cypriot by birth) this church was made absolute and independent of any other, and a priviledge given to Anthemius, the Archbishop in -that age, to subscribe his name to all publick acts in red lettere, which was an honour above that of any Patriarch, who writes his name or firm in black characters, the which was afterwards confirmed by the authority of Zeno the Emperour: this favonr and indulgence was granted in honour to the apostle Rarnaby, who primarily governed this diocess, where now his sepnlcher remains. The Archhishuprick, during the time that it was under the Duke of Savoy and the Republick of Venice, was the mother of 32 Bishopricks, bnt now by the oppression and violence of the Turks hath been reduced to one Archbishoprick and three Bishopricks. The first hath its cathedral church at Nicosia, and receives its revenue from Famagosta, Carpasi and Tamasea, which are immediately subject thereunto. The Bishopricks are first, that of Pafo, and Arsenoia or Arsinoe. The second that of Cyti, and Amathnnta anciently Cetinni or Ci tin m and Amathusia. The third that of Ceriuia and Solca.... This island before it was^ taken by the Turks contained 14 thousand villages: but after a rebellion they made against the Turk, anno 1580 and 1593, the greatest part of the inhabitants were either killed or exterminated : to which the grievous pestilence which succeeded in the year 16*24 added so irreparable a desolation that of the 14 thousand villages there remain not 700 at this present time. The Archbishop of this Island in tins year 1678 is named Hilarion, and siruained Cicala, created and promoted to this dignity in the year 1674, a learned man and well skilled in the Greek aud Latine ttmgnes. His revenne or maintenance arises from the churches of Famagosta, Carpasi and Tamasea, according to the ecclesiastical endowments: but from the villages he receives nothing, nnless at the visits which he makes twice a year. Some collection is made of com, 03d, wine and other fruits in the nature of tytlies, but rather by way of presents and free will offerings than of duties. From the Monasteries he receives a certain.annual income or rent, according to the abilities and possessions thereof and from every papa or priest a dollar yearly per head. All which will scarce maintain η Patriarch, or yield him other than a poor livelihood. For when a Patriarch is first constituted a purse of money or 500 dollars is exacted and paid to the Pasha, and as much moie to the Jani-sariee, besides the ordinary growing charges, which are yearly about 2500 dollars. For to the Pasha every three months are paid 166 dollars; and to the Janisary, which is set for a guard to the Patriarch, 20 or 25 dollars, as he thinks fit to agree: also upon the coining of 234 EXCERPTA CYPBIA.

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