The annual Clergy Assembly of the Holy Metropolis of Constantia and Famagusta was held on Thursday, October 14, 2021 in the courtyard of the Holy Metropolis in Paralimni.
This year's eighth consecutive Assembly on "Resurrection of the Nation. 1821-2021: History and example ", had for the second year the form of a pan-provincial with the participation of parishioners from both the free and occupied metropolitan region of Constantia and Famagusta as well as the occupied Archbishopric district of Famagusta province and the Holy Diocese.
The Clergy Assembly was held under the auspices of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Nikos Anastasiadis and His Beatitude the Archbishop of Cyprus Mr. Chrysostom.
In his greeting, the representative of SA of the President, Honorable Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Mr. Giannis Karousos referred warmly to the goal of the assembly which as he stressed has become a point of reference for the free province of Famagusta and the Church of Cyprus in general, emphasizing that through the The epic of 1821 that we solemnly honor today, the Cypriots learned lessons and, struggling with self-denial, courage and heroism, took the baton to write in 1955 their own national liberation struggle through which any form of slavery, oppression and tyranny is overthrown. today.
In his own greeting, His Holiness, the Archbishop of Cyprus Mr. Chrysostomos, congratulated for the organization of the now established ecclesiastical institution of the annual Clergy Assembly and the choice of this year's theme, adding that, celebrating and honoring this year the two hundred years of our national polygenesis, we have a very sacred duty to revive, all those timeless values, for which our ancestors shed their blood and let us continue to fight constantly for them, until Justice and Freedom shine in the blue skies of our Homeland.
We, the unredeemed Greeks of Cyprus, must be exemplified by his messages. "Four hundred years of slavery could not demoralize the nation and let us hold on to our principles and ideals and redemption will come for us as well," he pointed out.
In his greeting, the Most Theophile Bishop of Karpasia, Mr. Christoforos, referred to the institution of tradition and the philotimos with which he nurtured and magnified the nation of the Greeks of 1821.
On behalf of the Municipalities of the Province of Famagusta, the Mayor of Famagusta, Mr. Simos Ioannou, stressed that the Greek Revolution of 1821 marked the historical course of our recent history. With the struggle, the spirit and the ethos of the rays, pages of glory and majesty were written that left us models of virtue and dignity. Cyprus had its own important "part" in the pages of history, contributing to the struggle for freedom and leaving as a sacred legacy examples of self-sacrifice and heroism. We eagerly await the time when the bells will ring throughout the province of Famagusta, free or not, and it will mean the end of the occupation and the reunification of our island.
He also referred to the rich social and charitable work of the Holy Metropolis of Constantia and Famagusta, assuring the practical support of all local authorities.
Finally, the honorable Mr. Michalis Tziortas, on behalf of the Union of Displaced Communities of Famagusta, referred to the important contribution of the Cypriots in the struggle of 1821 and the great figure of the Archbishop of Cyprus Kyprianou. Cyprus did not lack moral and material support. It strengthened from the first moment the uprising of the Genos but also during the struggle repeatedly ships of the fleet that visited Cyprus were refueled taking with them the Cypriots who joined the struggle as it appears in various battles.
The heritage of 1821 is not only Greek. On the contrary, it brings to the universality the ideas and values of its time. What unites us with developed peoples are human values - Democracy, equality, freedom and peace, he noted.
It was performed musically by the children's choir of the Municipality of Paralimni "Voices of Voices".
Then the step was taken by the Most Venerable Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta Mr. Vassilios who developed the topic "Resistance to the big machine". The Greek state stressed that it has acquired an enviable position in its geographical area with its undisputed geostrategic position and importance, as is proven today with the new geostrategic plans. That is why even then the ruling forces turned against the Greek revolutionaries because the interests were conflicting between the United Kingdom, Russia, France and Austria-Hungary. Later the philhellenic movement developed. Alas, though! The great machine, which incessantly plots the existence of Hellenism and its Orthodoxy, has not ceased to function within its time, space and goals. The two poles, Orthodoxy and Homeland, which originate as "history and example" from the Greek polygenesis, will continue to function today for the entrenchment of Hellenism, so that it can resist the intrusions of the great, threatening and destructive machine, wherever they come from. and plot the non-negotiable legacy of Orthodoxy and Hellenism, he stressed.
In the presentation of Dr. Georgios Kakkouras "On New Martyrs", the speaker said that the new martyrs in the years of slavery with their martyrdom strengthened the faith of Christians but also stood a bulwark against Islamism. Thus they became the most beautiful and vivid examples of inspiration and imitation of struggles and sacrifices. For this reason, they should rightly be considered key factors for the liberation of the Nation, as even this Greek Revolution can be said to have taken place because the previous centuries of Turkish slavery were preceded by the struggles and martyrdoms of the holy new martyrs.
The event was attended by His Eminence the Metropolitan of Vostra Mr. Timotheos, Exarch of the Holy Sepulcher in Cyprus, His Beatitude Bishop of Mesaoria Mr. Gregory, representatives of Holy Dioceses, parties, institutions, organizations and schools, of the free province, members of the Throne Committee, of the Foundation of Social Ministry, of the ecclesiastical committees, Christian Associations of Women of the Holy Metropolis and executives of the parishes.
At the end, honorary diplomas were awarded to former members of church committees of occupied and free parishes and communities of the Province of Famagusta.
It should be noted that the event was accompanied by exhibitions and screenings.
The Holy Diocese of Constantia and Famagusta and the Cultural Academy "Agios Epifanios" host in the historic center of Paralimni, in Agios Georgios Square, the special exhibition of memory and honor to the heroes of 1821 organized by the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, Sylvos "History has a face."
Also presented by the Cultural Academy "Agios Epifanios", curated by Dr. Christina Kakkoura, the open-air exhibition "Bread from the Earth", the screening "The stones are cracked - Orthodox temples of Varos" and the description of the recently repatriated Church of Agios Anastasios Peristeronopigi.
Source: Holy Diocese of Constantia (Famagusta)