The Church of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Galakdodrofousas in the north of Cyprus opened its doors to worshippers for the first time in 41 years earlier this week in a move welcomed as a step forward in bringing peace and reconciliation to the Mediterranean Island.
Bishop Porfyrios of Neapolis and Imam Fuat Tosun, regional mufti of Kyrenia at the Church of Panagia Galaktrophousas, Palekythro. PICTURE © Salpy Eskidjian Weiderud
Built in 1896, the church in the village of Palekythro has been closed since 1974 when a coup by Greek Cypriot nationalists and subsequent Turkish military invasion led to the division of the island into two.
Last Sunday, some 400 worshippers gathered in the church for the first time since the doors were closed. Bishop Porfyrios of Neapolis told those gathered that the island’s religious leaders were “committed to continue to dialogue and work together for religious freedom, human rights and peace, with the support of the Embassy of Sweden.”
Bishop Porfyrios spoke of the appreciation of Archbishop Chrysostomos II of the Church of Cyprus to Dr Talip Atalay, the Mufti of Cyprus, for his intervention in favour of allowing Sunday worship, despite it having been previously rejected by Turkish Cypriot authorities. He also thanked the Office of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process Under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden.
Imam Fuat Tosun, a representative of Dr Atalay who attended the service, congratulated those who attended and said God would help Christians and Muslims “work together to achieve peace in Cyprus”.
Prior to Sunday, the last worship service conducted at the church had been on 15th August, 1974, after which the 76-year-old priest, Fr George Athanasiou, had been arrested.
Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, urged all WCC member churches to join him in prayer for the political leaders of Cyprus in finding a way “to overcome previous antagonisms and disappointments, and shape an undivided and peaceful future for the people of Cyprus”.
