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PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

CHRISTIAN COMPETITION. The Jewish communities of Cyprus never fully recovered from the suppression of the Diaspora Revolt. Only two centuries later, Cyprus would be dominated by Christianity, first planted there by the apostle Paul, who along with Mark and Barnabas reportedly visited the island and preached in local synagogues. This painting by Raphael (1483–1520) depicts the conversion of the Roman proconsul of Cyprus to the Christian faith (Acts 13:6–12). Paul is seen on the left (with Barnabas standing just behind) striking the Jewish magician and proconsul’s adviser Elymas with blindness for interfering with his mission. The huge painting is one of seven cartoons (full-scale designs) for the tapestry series “The Acts of the Apostles” commissioned for the Sistine Chapel by Pope Leo X.