Destruction of Christian shrines of Cyprus by Turkish residents cases concerns of the Cyprus Orthodox Church

‘More and more our shrines in the North of Cyprus turn into ruins. Turks strive to wipe out every trace of Hellenism and Christianity on the island. Only strong international opposition can stop them’, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Pathos.

According to the metropolitan, the Orthodox Church of Cyprus more than once asked the European Union to interfere in the situation around Christian shrines on the island. Last time the question was raised in autumn 2004, when Cyprus entered the European Union.

‘Nothing is done quickly there. I am convinced that European governments should press on Turkey and it should become a subject of open talks on Ankara’s entry in the European Union. However, European governments do not want to take the opportunity’, Metropolitan Chrysostomos thinks.

He also said that some Orthodox bishops met with leaders of Islamic community of Turks-Cypriotes in order to develop friendly relations. ‘However, when it gets to the concrete topics such as problems of robbery and desecration of our churches, they do not know what to say and readdress us to the political authorities’, Metropolitan Chrysostomos said.

He called the situation with the division of Cyprus ‘deeply oppressive’ and said that it was a result of ‘illegal military occupation’. However, the dialogue with Turks-Cypriotes on the question is impossible: ‘They do not welcome even a hint at the autonomy, the Ankara government should say its last word’.