First Liturgy Held in Cypriot Church in Over 40 Years

Hundreds of Greek Cypriot refugees from the Turkish occupied village of Argaki, in the Morphou area, celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Saturday at their village church of St. John the Baptist for the first time since the village was occupied by Turkish troops during the invasion in 1974.

The mass was officiated by Bishop of Morphou Neophytos and organized by the Holy Bishopric of Morphou in cooperation with the Church Committee, the Community authority, the Argaki Cultural Group and “Olympus” Athletic Club of the occupied village.

According to the statements made to CNA by Argaki Cultural Club Chairman Pambos Charalambous, the Liturgy was attended by about 600 residents of the village who were displaced during the Turkish invasion as well as some Turkish Cypriots who used to live in the village before the invasion.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN-led talks aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof are currently underway between the leaders of the two communities.

Source: Pravoslavie.ru