[2] The original shrine church was founded in the late fifth century, perhaps in 477,[2] when the Emperor Zeno financed the construction of a basilica near the spot where the body of Barnabas was discovered by Archbishop Anthemius.
The church had a timber roof and included stoas, gardens, aqueducts, and hostels intended for receiving pilgrims.
[4] Two buildings were added to the complex during the reign of Justinian I (527–565) by the next archbishop, Philoxenos, who left a short inscription recording his work.
[10] In 1735, Vasil Grigorovich-Barsky visited the site and drew a sketch of the cloisters, courtyards and outbuildings.
[2] No longer hosting a monastic community, the church today function as a museum of icons.