In his address on behalf of the President of the Republic at the Inter-Orthodox Preparatory Conference of the World Council of Churches, which is being held in the Metropolis of Constantia and Famagusta, Commissioner Fotiou said that "it is a great honour for the country and especially for the Church of Cyprus to organise this Conference today, in view of the 11th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC)".
At the same time he conveyed "the cordial greetings of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and his wishes for every success in this great effort, which aims to prepare in the best possible way the work of this important ecclesiastical event."
Mr. Fotiou also said that "the 11th General Assembly of the WCC, scheduled to be held in September in Karlsruhe, Germany, will be held under the title "The love of Christ promotes the world towards reconciliation and unity", messages which are particularly needed at this time."
He added that "the Assembly of the World Council of Churches is about a great event, of global scope, with a special spiritual value for Orthodoxy, since it brings together and embraces with love 340 Churches and confessions from 100 different countries and all continents. The WCC General Assembly is a special moment for member churches, ecumenical partners and other churches as it brings together more than 4000 participants from all over the world."
After stating that "the Church of Cyprus participates actively, as a permanent member, in the work of the General Assembly", the Commissioner for the Presidency noted that "in this context, it has undertaken to host the Inter-Orthodox Preparatory Conference, during which representatives of the Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Churches from more than 20 countries will meet together in the Holy Metropolis of Constantia and Famagusta in order to prepare the agenda of the 11th General Assembly".
He also noted that "the long Christian tradition of our island and the historical life of the Church of Cyprus dictates the creative demand to be present, committed and active in spiritual missions, contributing to the renewing power of the Orthodox Church. Such initiatives strengthen Christian culture, which is a spiritual heritage and a safe bridge of true communication among the Orthodox peoples of the world."
The Orthodox Church, he continued, "can safeguard the Christian ideals of love, peace, brotherhood and social justice. Valuable values that can contribute to the spiritual transformation of a better world."
For almost 50 years, the Commissioner for the Presidency continued, "Cyprus has been divided as a result of the illegal Turkish invasion of 1974 and the ongoing occupation. Our priority remains the reunification of our homeland on the basis of a just and viable solution for all the legitimate inhabitants of the island, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians, Latins, with full respect for human rights," he said, noting that "we want peace, prosperity and security in a reunited Cyprus".
At the same time he welcomed all the representatives of the Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Churches hosted in Cyprus and wished every success in the planned work of the Conference.
Fotis Photiou also extended "warm congratulations to the Church of Cyprus, especially to the Metropolis of Constantia and Famagusta and to Metropolitan Basil, for their decisive contribution to the excellent organization of the Preparatory Conference, which is an Orthodox spiritual experience that promotes cooperation, dialogue and unity and which greatly honours the whole of Cyprus."
Source: CNA
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