The first Divine Liturgy since 1976, ie for 42 years, was performed today at the church of Panagia Kanaria in Lytraggomi, located on the occupied peninsula of Karpasia in Cyprus.
Under the domes of the wall mosaics of the 6th century AD of the church of Panagia Kanakaria in Lytraggomi, in the occupied peninsula of Karpasia, looted by the exceptional art, more than 500 Greek Cypriots prayed today in the first Divine Liturgy since 1976. Karpasias, Christoforos.
The frescoes of the church, frescoes of the 12th, 14th and 16th century bear heavy traces of desolation and their forms are indistinguishable. For years the temple was a dovecote. Only the fresco of the Virgin Mary with Christ, above the south gate of the church survives, but in poor condition.
Throughout the Liturgy, the faithful held lighted candles and their eyes were watery. Also, many were those who partook of the Achrant Mysteries. Bishop Christoforos blessed a bread class and sang a trishagio in memory of the fallen of Lytraggomi.
At the end, a procession of the holy image of the Virgin Mary took place in the courtyard of the church. Bishop Christoforos of Karpasia in his sermon referred to the Most Holy Theotokos, whose Birth was celebrated by the Church the day before yesterday and to which the church of Kanakaria is dedicated. He pointed out that the Nativity of the Virgin gives world joy and is the consul of all spiritual goods, because by the grace of God she became the mother of his Son. Also, the theophilestatos underlined "the great importance of the performance of the Divine Liturgy in the temple of Kanakaria, which is a symbol of the plundered ecclesiastical heritage of Cyprus".
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the mayor of Lytragkomi, Iraklis Ioannou, spoke, who greeted his fellow villagers, but also the whole world, who responded to the call of the community council and attended their "favorite church" for the first time since 1976, when the residents were forced to leave their village. He also thanked the Bishop of Karpasia and stressed the need for work to be done for the maintenance of the ecclesiastical monument.
(Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ)
