Petros Nacouzi, the Maronite Cypriot representative in parliament, expressed satisfaction after President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman agreed to restore several Maronite churches abandoned since 1974. Nacouzi thanked UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin for her role in the initiative. He emphasized that restoration must include facilitating access to sites like Ayia Marina and Asomatos for religious services. The UN peacekeeping force confirmed the bicommunal technical committee will address these cultural heritage sites. Nacouzi linked the church restoration to broader efforts for returning to villages and preserving cultural roots in Cyprus.
The Pancyprian Coordinating Council for Volunteering launched its 13th annual Christmas campaign in Cyprus on Monday to assist vulnerable families. The Adopt a Family initiative seeks to provide essential items and gifts during the festive season. The council invites businesses, organizations, and individuals to contribute donations such as supermarket vouchers, food, and children's gifts. NGOs can submit the needs of the families they support. District volunteer coordinating councils will allocate donations based on these needs to ensure transparency. Since 2015, the program has assisted thousands of financially vulnerable households across the country.
Two 14th-century Byzantine icons stolen in 1974 have been officially returned to the Bishopric of Morphou in Cyprus. The artworks, depicting Evangelists Matthew and Mark, were originally from the Church of Panayia Forbiotissa in Asinou. They were traced to the United Kingdom and handed over without compensation. Bishop Neophytos of Morphou praised the return as a result of persistence. This event marks another step in recovering cultural heritage lost during the Turkish invasion, following the 2007 return of two other icons from New York. Several other pieces from the same series remain missing.
Two historic churches in Karavas, Cyprus, have been restored through cooperation between Greek and Turkish Cypriot specialists. The Ayia Irene and Ayios Georgios of Mezere churches, dating to the 19th century, were conserved with EU funding and UNDP supervision. Sotos Ktoris, co-chairman of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, noted the sites' historical significance, including connections to the 1821 massacres and the Greek War of Independence. The project also included work on the Kalopsida cemetery in the Famagusta district. The outlet reports this effort as an act of respect for the dead and a symbol of shared heritage.
The Lefkoniko municipality in Cyprus has condemned the Turkish Cypriot authorities for rejecting a request to hold a religious service at the Archangel Michael Church. The municipality stated that UNFICYP informed them the service scheduled for Saturday was denied again. Officials expressed deep disappointment, arguing that such refusals hinder trust and reconciliation. They asserted that displaced Greek Cypriots have an inalienable right to visit their churches and maintain religious traditions. The statement cited international law and human rights conventions, urging the UN and international community to ensure religious freedom. The 12th-century church, located in the Famagusta district, has undergone significant conservation efforts.
The President of Cyprus condemned a terrorist attack on a church in Jordan. He spoke with the Jordanian King to express solidarity and convey condolences for the victims. The leaders emphasized their shared commitment to protecting religious freedom and respecting human life. They agreed that violence must not undermine regional peace and stability. The Cypriot President also reaffirmed his country’s dedication to strengthening bilateral ties with Jordan, citing mutual trust and a common vision for security in the area.
The king of Jordan directed security forces to use an “iron fist” after gunmen killed nine people and wounded 40 at a church funeral in a governorate on Friday. The attack occurred at a Greek Orthodox church, prompting heightened security at malls and embassies nationwide. The royal court condemned the act as a despicable terrorist incident, emphasizing there is no room for leniency. While no group has claimed responsibility, officials are investigating potential links to known militant organizations. This rare violence against the Christian minority has drawn widespread condemnation from local leaders and international partners.
The bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, supported by the UNDP and European Commission funding, has restored two historic religious sites in northern Cyprus. The monastery of Panayia Apsinthiotissa near Sychari and the church of Ayios Prokopios in Synkrasi were handed over on Friday. Committee co-chairs Sotos Ktoris and Ali Tuncay stated the projects demonstrate cooperation and shared heritage. The restoration aims to preserve architectural history and foster confidence-building between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, with over 210 monuments previously restored across the island.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Thomas Vogel on UnsplashPersecuted church
A Middle Eastern nation announced its air force killed more than 20 Islamic State militants in a neighboring country’s southern region. The strikes followed a deadly church attack in the first nation, which authorities linked to cross-border militants. While officials stated the operation targeted terrorist hideouts, the neighboring country reported seven civilian deaths, including three children. The first nation’s government expressed regret for the casualties and claimed coordination with the neighbor, though the neighbor’s government denied prior consultation and condemned the action as a sovereignty violation. Both nations agreed to establish a joint security committee to enhance border stability and prevent future incidents.
A survivor of a shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in a Jordanian city recalled her cousin's death during a funeral service where gunmen killed nine people. The attack, which injured forty others, prompted the king to order a strong security response against extremist terrorism. While no group has claimed responsibility, authorities continue to search for the attackers. A local priest emphasized a message of peace following the tragedy. The incident targeted the Christian minority in the region, highlighting the ongoing security challenges faced by believers in the country.
Russia freed 74-year-old retired US schoolteacher Stephen Hubbard on Wednesday, according to President Vladimir Putin. The release occurred during a meeting between Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg. Hubbard, who had been detained since April 2022 in Izyum, Ukraine, was convicted of mercenary activity and sentenced to nearly seven years. His lawyer Martin De Luca thanked US officials, including President Donald Trump, for securing the release. Hubbard was the only US prisoner designated by Washington as wrongfully detained. This follows the earlier release of another American, Marc Fogel, last year.
Cyprus strongly condemned recent settler attacks in the occupied West Bank targeting diplomats from Belgium, France, and Poland, as well as Catholic representatives. The incident occurred in Taybeh, near Ramallah, where a convoy was assaulted while assessing the olive harvest situation. A French mayor was thrown to the ground, and a Belgian consulate vehicle had its window smashed. Cyprus stated that such violence undermines peace and stability, reaffirming support for the two-state solution. Belgian officials also condemned the acts, calling for EU sanctions and accountability for those responsible.
Belgium’s foreign minister Maxime Prevot condemned attacks on European diplomats and Palestinians in the West Bank on Saturday. The incident involved a French mayor, Polish officials, and a Belgian vehicle. This follows a separate assault on an American journalist. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar blamed rioters and suggested better coordination with the military. Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh called the violence daily terrorism. Israeli police have opened an investigation, though prosecutions of settlers remain rare. Belgium plans to push for EU sanctions against those responsible for the violence.
An Israeli airstrike destroyed an apartment building in Gaza City early Saturday, killing at least five Palestinians, including four women. Health officials confirmed the deaths, which included a Christian mother, Maisa Abu Dawoud, and her daughter Mary. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem mourned the victims and called for an end to the war. Witnesses described hearing explosions and finding bodies under rubble. Israel states it is targeting Hamas, which denies rearming. Since the ceasefire began last October, Gaza health officials report at least 1,400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire.
Eurobank has announced the winning architectural design for a €2 million day centre for individuals with severe autism in Strovolos, Cyprus. The project was presented at an event attended by President Nikos Christodoulides and Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Tina Pavlou. The winning team, led by Chrysostomos Theodoropoulos, will construct the facility in the Ayios Dimitrios parish. Eurobank will fund the entire cost, while the state will manage operations. Officials emphasized the centre's goal to provide meaningful daily routines and specialized support for those requiring high levels of assistance.
Grain growers in Cyprus delivered ten tonnes each of bulgur and flour to the archbishopric in Nicosia on Friday. This annual social contribution totals 20 tonnes and will be distributed by local bishoprics to families in need. Kyriacos Kailas, chairman of the grain growers’ association, stated that the Church is better positioned to identify those requiring assistance. The donation amount increased from 15 to 20 tonnes in response to the pandemic and drought. Kailas confirmed the group intends to maintain this level of support in the coming years to help struggling citizens. (Source: Cyprus Mail)
Pope Leo celebrated an outdoor Mass on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on Saturday, drawing an estimated 700,000 attendees. The event marked the largest gathering of his four-day tour of France. During the service, the pontiff urged Catholics to seek happiness through faith rather than materialism. Notable figures, including Brigitte Macron and Marine Le Pen, attended the ceremony. The visit aims to repair the Church's reputation following abuse scandals. Leo also addressed global issues, warning about multilateral crises and artificial intelligence. He later visited newly baptized Catholics in Paris before heading to Lourdes to meet abuse victims.
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