World Church Focus

 

A regular series of short articles that focus on different parts of the worldwide Church each month; bringing news as well as a prayer of or for the area concerned.

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Cyprus
The third largest island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus is by legend the birthplace of the ancient Greek goddess of love Aphrodite.  In contrast, Cyprus's modern history has been dominated by enmity between its Greek and Turkish inhabitants - but the last two months have seen some small but hopefully significant steps towards increased unity and peace.
 
Cyprus's location has made it a key target for neighbouring empires for thousands of years.  Trading route, imperial outpost or colonial military base - occupying forces, from the Hittites to the Romans and the Crusaders to the British, have all had their own uses for Cyprus, some leaving more of a legacy than others.  Ottoman Empire forces invaded in 1570, holding the island until the early 20th century, giving rise to the minority of Turkish speakers.  Cyprus was annexed by Britain in 1914, becoming a Crown Colony in 1925.  Independence came in 1960.  However, tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in 1963, when violence broke out in the capital, Nicosia.  Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers, sporadic inter-communal violence continued, forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island.  In 1974, a Greek Government-sponsored attempt to seize control of Cyprus was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island.  In 1983, this area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC).  The south claims the whole island as the Republic of Cyprus, and this is recognised as the legal government of the whole island, whilst only Turkey recognises the TRNC.
 
Elections in February 2008 saw Communist Party leader Demetris Christofias elected President by a big margin.  A builder's son from a village now in Turkish-held northern Cyprus, his main campaign theme was ending the 34-year-old division of the island.  In March, he and Mehmet Ali Talat, the Turkish Cypriot leader, agreed to resume talks on reunifying the island, and set themselves a 3-month deadline in which "to start fully fledged negotiations".  They also pledged to reopen the crossing at Ledra Street, a pedestrian thoroughfare that runs along the capital Nicosia's dividing line, and this opened on 3rd April.
 
Cyprus was evangelized from the very beginning of Christianity, with the Apostle Barnabas regarded as the founder and first bishop of the church here.  Towards the end of the 4th century, the Church of Cyprus was fully established.  This Greek Orthodox Church still forms the majority faith (78%) and is concentrated in the south.  In the north, the majority are Muslim (18% of whole Cyprus).  The remaining 4% are predominantly Christian, belonging mainly to Anglican, Roman Catholic, Latin Catholic, Maronite, Armenian Orthodox, Greek Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches.  There is also a small Jewish community.  There is freedom of religion in both north and south, but proselytism by minority groups is carefully monitored.  Anglicans in Cyprus belong to the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, under the leadership of Rt Revd Michael Lewis.  There are 9 congregations in Cyprus, including 2 in the north.
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Pray for: inspiration and wisdom for President Christofias and Mr Talatin their current initiatives; a peaceful and equitable resolution to all the divisions that exist; increased ecumenical understanding and cooperation; and for the churches' witness to the many tourists who visit Cyprus
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The main UK-based mission and aid agencies currently active in Cyprus include Mission to Seamen, Youth With a Mission (YWAM), Interserve and BMS World Mission.  In addition, because of its location, a number of Christian organisations use Cyprus as a base for working in the Middle East.
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Information compiled in April 2008 from various sources, by the Revd. Mary J. Vickers, from whom further information may be available.  Contact her by Email at: mpvmailbox-wcf@yahoo.co.uk  'World Church Focus' is produced as a resource for local churches, and is partly funded by 'Christians Aware' (www.christiansaware.co.uk)  Articles can be reproduced in church magazines, prayer letters, sermons, etc, but wider use needs permission from Mary Vickers who owns the copyright.