In the presence of a large crowd, a Divine Liturgy was performed today in the church of Agia Marina, located in the dead zone, next to the beach of Deryneia.
Many people went last night for the evening service and today for the Divine Liturgy and as the Mayor of Deryneia Andros Karagiannis stated, it is "a great celebration for Deryneia. "Every year the number of people entering the dead zone to worship and officiate at the Byzantine church of Agia Marina is increasing, reaching about a thousand people today."
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He added that "for the only church that we receive permission from the occupying authorities, through the United Nations, to perform a service and visit the faithful is that of Agia Marina. There is, however, another church of Saints Timotheos and Mavra located in Kato Deryneia, between the dead zone and the occupied ones, however, despite the fact that we have been contacted a total of 4 times, through the United Nations, to the occupying army to operate it, unfortunately the answer is no. "
Answering a relevant question, Mr. Karagiannis said that "the church of Agia Marina is of the 12th century, has some elements of the 14th - 15th century and until today has been renovated twice by the Department of Antiquities. It is expected that in November this year the third phase of maintenance of the church will begin, which is very connected to the people of Deryneia, but also Famagusta, since before 1974 many people went for pilgrimage and then to the occupied beach to rest.
In another question, the Mayor said that "for the last three years, the Municipality of Deryneia has been organizing the entry of people into the dead zone and especially the visit to Agia Marina, Shrove Monday and the feast of Agia on July 17. We consider it our highest duty to bring people to our churches for pilgrimage, whether they are in the free areas or in the dead zone. "
Famagusta.News / KYPE