CYPRUS  - 1974 -  PHOTO ARCHIVE

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-Occupied GREEK ORTHODOX Churches and Monasteries in CYPRUS-

Map of Cyprus with indication of major Christian Greek Orthodox monasteries in Cyprus. 
Click photo to see the enlargement.

The photo archive that follows is a small list of Christian Greek Orthodox monasteries and churches in occupied Cyprus, that depicts the general picture of total destruction and desertion due to the continuous occupation of part of Cyprus by Turkish military forces.

The famous Greek Orthodox Monastery of Apostle Andreas (Andrew) located on the eastern edge of the Karpasia peninsula in Occupied Cyprus. Its fame is that much that even Muslim Turkish Cypriots are worshipping there. It is said to be the most famous monastery of Cyprus. Unfortunately the monastery is in very bad condition due to the lack of proper maintenance and no proper repair for many years.

Recently, and after the persistent and prolonged outcry and condemnation by the International Community, the European Union, the UNESCO, and the Cyprus government, the Turkish military occupation regime has allowed Greek Cypriots to visit and perform liturgy during the Greek Orthodox Easter celebrations.

-Click on the photo to see the enlargement.

The famous Greek Orthodox Monastery of Apostle Varnavas (Barnabas), founder of the Christian Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus. It was built on the location where the holy body of Apostle Varnavas was found buried, holding the Holy Bible in his hands, in Famagusta district. It has been ILLEGALLY converted by the Turkish military authorities into a museum and tourist attraction. There, the Turkish thieves transferred many Ancient Holy Byzantine Icons from plundered and looted Greek Orthodox churches and monasteries in the occupied areas of Cyprus to show to tourists that they "respect" the Greek cultural civilization.
Other ancient Greek treasures, including the private collection of Christakis Hadjiprodromou in 22 Eleftherias Street in Famagusta occupied Cyprus were looted and some of them are now illegally exhibited by the Turks in the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Apostle Varnavas in occupied Cyprus (Around 850 items from the original 2,000 are exhibited illegally, whereas many of them were spotted by the Interpol in Great Britain and were repatriated).

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The Greek Orthodox church of Santa Anastasia (Resurrection) and the B' Elementary School of Lapithos town in Kyrenia district. Lapithos, (or Lambousa in the Ancient Greek Archaic dialect) was built by the Lakons/ Lacons (Ancient Greek Spartans) and more specifically from Kifeas and Praxandros. The Greek Orthodox Church and the Greek School in the photo, have been converted into a motel, and a tourist attraction, for visitors that ILLEGALLY visit the occupied areas of Cyprus. These visitors, with their economic contribution, help in prolonging the military occupation of Cyprus. For more information about occupied Lapithos, click HERE.

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The Christian Greek Orthodox Church of Archangel Michael in occupied town of Lefkoniko. Before the invasion Lefkoniko constituted the backbone of the Greek Elementary and High School Education for the entire area of Mesaoria, in Famagusta district, Cyprus. Today the Christian Greek Orthodox Church of Archangel Michael has been looted, deserted and destroyed as a result of the continuous Turkish military occupation of 37% of Cyprus. For more information about the town of Lefkoniko, click HERE.

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The Christian Greek Orthodox church of Saint Mamas and the Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of occupied Morphou. Morphou was built by the Lakons/ Lacons (Ancient Greek Spartans) and up until the 1974 Turkish military invasion was one of the richest areas of Cyprus. Morphou was famous for its citrus produce, its pioneering in water distribution and also for discovering new methods of harvesting and maximizing production. Morphou also pioneered in the development of COOP Banking institutions for the trade of the produce and also housed the Agricultural School of Cyprus. 
Turkish Military Occupation Regime's Standards of Freedom:
In April 23, 2003 the Turkish occupation regime, bending from the intense criticism and pressure both locally and internationally, has begun allowing Greek Cypriots to visit the occupied areas of Cyprus as ... tourists. When the Bishop of Morphou visited the Saint Mamas to perform the Liturgy, so called "police-officers" of the Turkish occupation regime, stormed the Church shouting "OUT" "OUT", effectively stopped the Holy liturgy, threw the Greek Orthodox Bishop out of the Church and told him not to think of going there again!!! Subsequently they locked and secured all doors.

For more information about Morphou click HERE.

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The ancient (11th century), Byzantine Christian Greek Orthodox monastery of Saint John Chrysostom in occupied Kyrenia district, Cyprus. The monastery is located on Pentadactylos Mount range.

The monastery has been destroyed by the barbarian Turkish military and occupation forces, and also by occasional looters and plunderers of Ancient Greek and Greek Orthodox Religious treasures. All destruction took place in the aftermath of the 1974 Turkish invasion against Cyprus.

-Click on the photo to see the enlargement.