Posted on 05/13/2014 7:25:54 PM PDT by marshmallow
NICOSIA, Cyprus—Divine Liturgy was carried out for the first time in 50 years in the Armenian Church of Virgin Mary in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the Cypriot capital of Nicosia on Sunday, Gibrahayer Magazine reports.
The Liturgy was carried out by the Armenian Archbishop Varoujan Hergelia, who re-consecrated the church as it had not been used for such a long time. The event was addressed by Armenian-Cypriot Member of Parliament Vartkes Mahdessian, who spoke at the church’s first ceremony in more than half a century.
The Church lies in the northern part of Nicosia, which is occupied by the Turkish government along with the rest of northern Cyprus, but recognized as Cypriot territory by the international community. The Church provided shelter for thousands who fled the Armenians Genocide between 1915 and 1923.
The church complex, which was in a very bad condition, was restored between 2008 and 2013 with the held of UNDP-ACT and USAID funding following the initiative of the American Ambassador John Koenig.
Also present at the liturgy were state officials, representatives of other religious communities of the island and members of foreign diplomatic missions in Cyprus as well as a large number of Armenian Cypriots who came from all over the island and from abroad.
“The church was full. People had to stand outside too,” said Alexander Michael Hadjilyra, Member of Parliament Vartkes Mahdessian’s spokesman.
Upon arrival everyone was given candles and a booklet with the church’s history.
“Everyone kept their candles lit during the liturgy. It was wonderful, I’m so happy,” said Anahid Eskidjian, who sang in the choir on Sunday and is also a member of the Women’s Church Committee.
(Excerpt) Read more at asbarez.com ...
Did anyone make it out alive?
Turks suck.
The Greek side was green and clean and over on the other side of the fence the Turkish side was brown and dirty.
THUS the two cultures.
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