Famagusta church to celebrate Holy Friday after 58 years

Speaking at a press conference, Galanos said `it is indeed a grand event, much bigger than us`.

`For the first time in 58 years a liturgy will be held at the church of St. George Exorinos, within Mediaeval Famagusta. It is not just the emotional side of the issue and the fact that it has been embraced by thousands of faithful, and the church, but there is also a symbolism and the message of reconciliation that will be sent with this liturgy, with this pilgrimage, and the procession of the Epitaphios, on a smaller scale, outside the church`, he said.

Galanos pointed out that `exaltation and a high turnout are expected`, adding that there is international interest in the event.

Such events, he said, create the necessary climate `to proceed with our efforts to reunify our country, to form a united Cyprus, of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, to live together in a single state, reconciled, with our common interests before us, and our common visions for our children`.

`It is very important to send the right messages and for the international community and especially the European community and the USA to realise that this trauma and drama for the Cypriot people cannot continue`, he said.

Archimandrite Avgoustinos Kkaras of the Metropolis of Constantia and Famagusta conveyed the support of Bishop Vassilios, noting that the event was first and foremost a church and religious one, and would also contribute to rapprochement and the bonding of the two communities.

Art director of the art centre at the `Eastern Mediterranean university` Ümit İnatçı said `we are not doing extraordinary things, we are just humans, we are not heroes, we do not want to be heroes either, because the actual tragedy of Cyprus is produced by heroes and I don`t think this is the moment to do heroisms`.

İnatçı said that from the event `we can get reconciliation, mutual understanding`, noting that `we have to know how to respect each other`.

`It is a moment to apologise and embrace each other, and then look to the future, united. Cyprus is our motherland and there is no other motherland`, he added.

Pavlos Iacovou from Famagusta Initiative said there had been a great interest for the event and that so far there are bookings to fill up to 25 coaches, excluding those who have made their own arrangements to travel in private buses.

He added that the organising committee would be at the church on Friday morning to make the final arrangements and the church would be open for prayers a few hours before the liturgy begins.

Regarding arrangements to cut the procession of the Epitaph short, after reports that there had been reactions, Galanos pointed out the length of the procession was not as important as the event itself and its success.

Replying to questions regarding security measures, Galanos said the Turkish Cypriot `mayor`, Oktay Kayalp, with whom there had been close cooperation, has taken measures, and that the event was being held with the approval of the Turkish Cypriot religious leader.

He also said many officials have expressed an interest to attend the liturgy, including former President of the Republic George Vassiliou, political party leaders, and ambassadors.

The church of Saint George Exorinos lies within the walled city of Famagusta, which is at very close proximity to the fenced off area of Famagusta, known as Varosha, on the eastern coast. The UN consider Turkey responsible for Varosha and have called for the return of the town to its lawful inhabitants. Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, engaged in peace talks with the Turkish Cypriot leader, has proposed the return of the city as a confidence building measure to restore trust between the island's two communities, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.