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- Русский
UCLAN University, Pyla
It is with great honour and emotion that I welcome today's remarkable event, held on the occasion of the presentation of the third project, entitled: "Religious Icons of Carpasia". This is a valuable work of historical, religious and national importance, which presents treasures of the Church of Cyprus and the world cultural heritage, which were rescued in the occupied villages of Karpasia by refugees and interned people of the region.
These ordinary people, chased by the whirlwind and absurdity of war, made sure to include these rare images among the few essential possessions that accompanied the unknown and unpredictable course of their lives in the summer of 1974. Some others were stolen by antiquities thieves to be sold on the black market of stolen cultural goods. The Church of Cyprus, making great efforts and with the help of researchers of renowned prestige, successfully carried out the identification, repatriation, conservation and safe keeping of some of them, while the struggle in this direction continues unabated.
The emotional charge that surrounds today's event grows with the thought that these great relics are works of religious painting with unquestionable theological, pastoral and artistic value.
The emotional charge that surrounds today's event grows with the thought that these great relics are works of religious painting with unquestionable theological, pastoral and artistic value. Moreover, the spiritual and symbolic character of these sacred icons reflects the strength of the faith of pious people who, despite the danger and threat of the ruthless conqueror, took care of their salvation, precisely because they deposited their pain, sorrow, dilemmas, dilemmas, concerns and, above all, their consolation and hope in the sanctified figures.
The looting and destruction of our cultural and religious tradition is another sad aspect of the Turkish invasion of 1974. From the war we do not only count geographical losses but we count dead, missing and trapped. We count property losses and the violation of basic human rights. Almost half a century after the tragic events, we are witnessing a systematic attempt to alter the demographic character of our island and a methodical tactic by the irreligious conqueror to cut us off from the roots of our existence. The Cypriot problem of invasion and occupation remains a bleeding wound for every legitimate citizen of our country and for European civilization in general.
The preservation of our memory, our national physiognomy and our tradition as well as every worthwhile effort to preserve monuments and sacred relics, such as those included in the third edition presented today, constitute a strong counterweight to any Turkish methods.
Moreover, the Church of Cyprus, both in times of prosperity and in times of adversity, having the prestige of the Autocephaly due to its Apostolicity and the holiness of its life, has always provided beneficial offerings and services to society and the nation. By extension, Orthodoxy acted as a shield of protection against foreign conquests and safeguarded the cultural and national identity of the Cypriot people.
Let us remember that today's day is identified with strong national symbolism, referring to the bloodbath of 9 July 1821 and the undeniable sacrifice of the martyr of faith and country, Archbishop Kyprianos and the Bishops of Paphos, Kition and Kyrenia. A bright milestone of our history and a tangible testimony that Hellenism and Christianity are identical concepts that feed our consciousness, history, tradition and culture.
In this context, today's event can only fill us with emotion, gratitude, strength and courage to overcome the difficulties, continuing with perseverance and endurance our struggle for vindication.
In this context, today's event can only fill us with emotion, gratitude, strength and courage to overcome the difficulties, continuing with perseverance and endurance our struggle for vindication. This initiative of the Holy Metropolis of Karpasia, with the Most Reverend Bishop Christoforos, who inspired and guided an elite scientific team of collaborators, is in every respect worthy of praise.
In conclusion, I would like to express my warmest congratulations to all the contributors for the great interest they have shown, participating in the compilation and publication of this third edition of this work. In particular, I would like to congratulate the Byzantinologist Christodoulos Chatzichristodoulou for the general editing of the publication, the Archaeologist and Cultural Heritage Manager Thekla Kallis who undertook the recording, description and compilation of the index tables, Yannis Kypris, Ilias Lambrou and Kostas Magiroudi for the work of perfect photographic documentation, Fr. Christos Grigoriou for the design of the publication, as well as Vassilis Vassiliou for his constructive contribution. Warm congratulations are also due to the O.P.A.P. Cyprus for the practical and generous sponsorship of the publication as well as to the former Commissioner of the Presidency, Fotis Fotiou and the Communities of the Department of Karpasia for their support in the implementation of the project. Finally, I congratulate the researcher, Kostis Kokkinofta, who today will present the intellectual toil of a creative activity, the result of which justifies each individual involved.
This historic third edition comes as a heartfelt wish for a return to the soils of Karpasia and all our occupied territories and for the rediscovery of the thread of continuity of a centuries-old tradition and a priceless cultural and religious heritage.
(Note: This is the first time that we have been in contact with the history of our country.The greeting was read on behalf of the President of the Republic by the Deputy Government Spokesperson Mrs. Doxa Komodromou)
(PM/EP)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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