It is with great honor that I accepted the invitation to attend tonight's event, which is taking place on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the foundation and operation of the Holy Church of Apostle Barnabas of the Community of Mathiatis.
From the outset, I wish to convey the warm greetings and thanks of the President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, who, due to prior commitments, was unable to be with you today. However, he sends his congratulations both for tonight's event and more broadly for the remarkable social work that is being implemented in the Community by organized groups and bodies and the Local Government itself, always with a view to the upgrading, prosperity and progress of the village and its inhabitants.
Tonight's event is a joint initiative of the Community Council of Mathiatis and the President and Members of the Ecclesiastical Committee, who in cooperation with the Holy Metropolis of Tamassos, honor the founder of the Church of Cyprus and at the same time the holiness of his form and work as well as the fact that he is among the Patrons of the Community.
The respected priests together with the Ecclesiastical Committee of the Apostle Barnabas Church, which this year celebrates 20 years of operation, carry out great spiritual and social work, which has a beneficial effect on the residents and foreign visitors. The willingness to offer comes from the spirit of cooperation with the Community Authority but mainly from the selfless action of the people, who serve with deep religious feeling, devotion and dedication both the Holy Church of Apostolos Varnavas and the other six churches, which adorn the Community of Mathiatis, aspiring with philanthropic feelings for the common good.
The churches of the Community, apart from their religious value and tradition, have great historical significance, since some of them are important monuments of cultural heritage, dating back to the 12th and 17th centuries.
The holy churches of the Community of Mathiatis, as solemn places of religious worship and prayer, are interwoven with many aspects of the daily life of the residents, while at the same time they become a pole of attraction for many believers who visit them. Events such as tonight's contribute to the further enhancement of both the churches and the community.
I take this opportunity at this point to express the Government's full support for the concerted efforts you are making, in cooperation with the Nicosia District Administration of the Ministry of Interior, to implement development projects of public utility, which upgrade the Community and improve the living conditions of the residents. The creation of a community car park, the upgrading of a community park to a high standard framework to provide safe recreation, the improvement of the road network to the tune of more than half a million, are some indicative examples, intended for the Mathiatis Community, which demonstrate the will to make our countryside an attractive choice especially for young people. The preservation of life in our villages, especially those close to urban centres and characterised by their natural beauty, such as the community of Mathiati, is undoubtedly a priority for both the Government and the Local Authorities.
On the occasion of tonight's event, I express my warm congratulations to the President and the Members of the Community Council as well as to the President and the Members of the Ecclesiastical Committee both for tonight's event and their willingness to promote and highlight the blessed work of the Founder and Founder of the Church of Cyprus, Apostle Barnabas, and for their willingness to honour the 20-year operation of the Holy Church in the Community, which is dedicated to his memory.
I also extend my warmest congratulations to the Vocal Ensemble and the Mandolinata of Neophytos Roussos, who artistically accompanied the programme of the event, contributing to its successful implementation. Finally, I express my congratulations to the speaker of the evening, Mr. Argyros Konstantinou, who will attempt with his thorough and documented speech to present "the history of the foundation of the Holy Church of Apostle Varnavas in the community of Mathiatis".
With the certainty that you will continue to carry out your important work with the same undiminished interest and love that distinguishes you primarily for the Community, its people and its history, I wish you every success in your goals and aspirations.
Thank you.
(RM/MG/EXP)
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