Aram I and Archbishop Georgios Call for International Action on Occupied Churches in Northern Cyprus

 

 

OCP News Service – 10/12/2025

Nicosia – Cyprus: At the conclusion of his pastoral visit to the Armenian Diocese of Cyprus, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, held a high-level meeting with His Beatitude Georgios, Archbishop of Nova Justiniana and All Cyprus, at the Archbishopric residence in Nicosia on Monday, December 8, 2025.

The meeting between the two spiritual leaders marked a deepening of the fraternal relationship between the Armenian and Cypriot Orthodox Churches. This visit followed a previous successful encounter between the two leaders, which set the stage for their continued collaboration on regional and theological issues.

Concerns Over Occupied Churches and Cultural Heritage

A central focus of the dialogue was the critical state of Christian churches and religious sites in the northern part of Cyprus, currently under Turkish occupation. The leaders discussed the necessity of re-emphasizing the rightful ownership of these seized properties and explored possibilities for securing permission to conduct essential repairs and maintenance on the historic structures.

Both His Holiness and His Beatitude expressed grave concern over the preservation of the island’s Christian heritage, calling for international attention to the status of these “seized” sanctuaries.

Theological Dialogue and Pastoral Cooperation

The leaders engaged in an exchange of views regarding theological matters and the current challenges facing the Orthodox world. Catholicos Aram I emphasized the importance of resolving historical and inherited theological questions through structured dialogue. He also stressed the need to address and correct increasingly secular approaches within modern society that impact the life of the Church.

Exchange of Symbolic Gifts

To commemorate the visit and the 30th anniversary of his enthronement, Catholicos Aram I presented Archbishop Georgios with a copy of the manuscript of St. Gregory of Narek’s Book of Lamentations (Matean Tragedy), along with a commemorative illustrative piece.

In return, Archbishop Georgios presented the Catholicos with a sacred icon and a book documenting the historic churches in the rural regions of Cyprus, symbolizing the shared spiritual and cultural landscape of the two traditions.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to further strengthen the “sister church” relationship between the Holy See of Cilicia and the Church of Cyprus, standing together in their witness to the Gospel in the Mediterranean region.

Source:
OCP News Service