In a modest ceremony that took place at the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Famagusta in Deryneia, the Association of Alumni and Friends of the Greek High Schools of Famagusta, honored on Sunday morning, October 30, the significant work of His Eminence the Metropolitan of Constantia and President of Famagusta Mr. Vassiliou, declaring Honorary Member of the Association.
The Metropolitan of Constantia, a sharp ecclesiastical personality of international scope, a fact enhanced by his recent election to the position of the President of the Orthodox in the World Council of Churches, graduated from Famagusta High School in 1974, already being a deacon of the Monastery of the founder of the Church of Cyprus, Apostolos Varnavas .
The attendees were welcomed by the President of SAFEGA, Mr. Andreas Matsis, who referred to the history and contribution of Famagusta High Schools and the reasoning behind the decision.
The stage was taken by the Mayor of Deryneia, Mr. Andros Karagiannis, who referred to his many years of work and his excellent knowledge in the religious and historical field. He also pointed out the importance of his education, the kindness and serenity that distinguish him, contributing the most to the effort to improve the social, political and cultural development of the free province of Famagusta.
In his own greeting, the Mayor of Famagusta, Dr. Simos Ioannou, referred to Metropolitan Vassiliou's dedication to his high duties, especially after 2007 when he was called to become the first Metropolitan after 8 centuries of the reconstitution of the Metropolis of Constantia and Famagusta. Since then, he has managed to upgrade the relationship of the refugee world with the city of Famagusta and the villages of the province while playing a leading role in the fight for return and the establishment of peace.
With his presence and the functions of the occupied churches, he added, he breathes life into the cultural heritage that is being destroyed over time. Metropolitan Vassiliou's love for letters is reflected both in his academic career with the acquisition of two doctorates, brilliant master's degrees and also during his studies at the First High School of Famagusta. His graduates feel only pride for their classmate, he added.
In the rationale for the award, which was read by the member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Alumni and Friends of Famagusta High Schools, Mr. Themis Themistokleous, special reference was made to the inspired pastoral care of His Holiness, the love he shows for his flock and his fervent struggle for the rights of her Orthodox Church and Cypriot Hellenism, his anxiety for our occupied lands. Finally, they expressed their special honor and pride for their graduate and his rich research and writing work.
In his opposition, the honoree, visibly moved, thanked SAFEGA for this honor and noted his pride for the Greek high schools of Famagusta, pointing out, however, that their cognitive and intellectual level helped him in his later career.
The modern conditions, he added, require both education and the Church to work vigorously in order to keep the values and ideals, to modernize them in order to convince man that without his relationship with God he cannot fulfill his spiritual searches.
Referring to Famagusta, His Holiness spoke about the ongoing campaign to inform and raise awareness about the expulsion of refugees, the violation of human rights, the desecration of cultural heritage by Turkey, contrasting the issue of Cyprus with the Ukrainian issue while concluding that he will continue the his own struggle in the national project within the ecclesiastical framework he serves.
The event was honored with the presence of the Deputy Minister of Culture Yiannis Toumazis, the MPs of Famagusta Nikos Georgiou and Christos Senekis, the Mayors of Paralimni Theodoros Pyrillis, Lefkonikou Zina Lysandrou-Panagidis, clergy of the Holy Metropolis, members of the Famagusta Municipal Council, the President of the Theater Board Cyprus Group Antigone Papafilippou, representatives of associations and organized groups of Famagusta, relatives, classmates and fellow villagers of the honoree.