”Cyprus is the only nation in the European Union in which a large part of the territory is occupied, in which nearly one half of the population, violently driven out of their fatherly homes, are refugees, while 520 churches and other venerable sacred places and destinations of fervent devotion are destroyed, pillaged and converted into entertainment centres or even into stables for animals”. This was recalled today to the Episcopal Synod for the Middle East by the archimandrite of Cyprus, Chrysostomos II. In his speech, read from the floor by Demosthenis Demosthenous, Chrysostomos reiterated that “Christians in Cyprus ask for and expect to have your support and your assistance in their fair fight for the retreat from our island of the Turkish invading army and the colonists who have settled in it, and for freedom, peace, justice and generally for all human rights for the island’s native population”. “When peace is endangered, as it has been unfortunately happening in Cyprus for 36 years by now, because of the relentless Turkish invasion and occupation of the northern part of our island, we all have a duty to defend it from those who intend to disrupt it”.

© SIR - october 21th 2010