Archbishop asks for support of 's Orthodox Church

Nicosia, Aug 20 (CNA) – of the Chrysostomos II has protested the destruction and plundering of Cyprus’ religious sites in the northern Turkish- occupied part of the country and asked for the support of Poland’s Orthodox Church.

The Archbishop, who continues his official visit to Poland at the invitation of leader, Metropolitan of and All Poland Sawa, delivered a speech after a service held in the Cathedral of Saint Nicolas Biaystok and sought the support of the Polish Orthodox Church and the Polish politicians for Cyprus.

“The ‘civilised’ humanity does not care about principles, freedom and justice. We ask help from you all. First of all in your prayers to God, and if possible, we ask for your intervention to the politicians in your country. A sister Orthodox Church is now faced with real danger for its survival”, the Archbishop stressed.

He referred to the Turkish invasion against Cyprus in 1974 as well as to Turkey’s policy to bring illegally to the occupied areas of Cyprus Muslim Turkish settlers from Anatolia, thus changing the demographic structure of the island.

The Archbishop said that more than 500 religious sites in the Turkish occupied areas have been converted into stables, stores, hen-houses, mosques and military camps.

“We cannot visit our homes and properties, we cannot hold services in our churches, we cannot restore them”, he continued.

He described the Polish Orthodox Church as a dynamic and very well organised Church.

Archbishop Chrysostomos, who is accompanied by Metropolitan Bishop of Pafos George and high-ranking members of the Church of Cyprus, will return home on Friday. CNA/AAR/MM/2009 ENDS, CYRPUS NEWS AGENCY

20/08/2009