Together with all Christians we celebrate the birth of Christ, the feast of love for man and the world, with faith for salvation. I take this opportunity to send you all warm wishes for Christmas and the holidays.
The word of God came to earth and to people through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, as a word of love. The presence of Christ beside man made the truth shine forth and brought forth values that are universal and timeless. By his life Christ advanced the relationship of love through understanding. He demonstrated the need for self-knowledge and the power of forgiveness. He proposed a world of peace.
Today, two thousand years later, we reflect that our world is still plagued by wars and calamities that spread misery to so many people. Many of our fellow human beings are still today starving, suffering, victims of deceit and exploitation, becoming refugees and being driven from their homes. We see them being treated inhumanely and discriminated against. On the altar of interests and even in the name of progress, people are often enslaved to petty material goals and cease to be driven by values. We see raw power imposed with arrogance, vanity cultivated and truth distorted. The environment is still being destroyed and our planet itself is endangered by habits and behaviours that we have learned to regard as normal everyday life.
On these days, with every smile, let us show a face of love to others and share a relationship of brotherhood. Let us remember that through the model of the Christian manger there always comes a message of modesty and humility, selflessness and giving. In the intimate and warm environment where we will be with our family and other loved ones, let us share the joy of the days by renewing our faith for a better tomorrow and hope for the world.
The last days of the year offer themselves, indeed, for reflection. It is a time to reflect that no matter how great the challenges, there is always room for improvement. That each of us has a share of responsibility, but also that we will not be able to improve the world without knowledge and cooperation. With a sense of duty, but also with willpower, we need to join forces to build a society with more understanding and solidarity and to build a healthier environment, creating sustainable conditions for our planet.
Dear students,
As young people you have every right to hope and strive for a better world. But in order to do so, you must first become the better people the world needs. Set goals and strive to achieve them. So seize the opportunities that are offered to you. In particular, make the most of the opportunities offered by your school to learn as much as possible, to cultivate your mind and soul, to acquire skills and to develop your personality. Do not give in to the sirens of ease and indifference or even to temporary and illusory satisfactions. Education and cultivation need conscientious effort and dedication. But they are the surest prospect for your future. In these days as we prepare to welcome the new year with hope and expectation, adopt goals and continue to pursue them consistently.
At the end of another year, we also realize what the passing year leaves behind. Still gazing with bitterness and indignation at the trampled Pentadaktylus, we renew our commitment to never rest while Turkey usurps our lands in violation of every law and principle of the civilized world. Not to accept nor get used to foreign occupation and dispossession. In the face of their daily arrogant threats, let us steel our commitment not to compromise with the crime committed 48 years ago in Cyprus. Let us not forget that our goal is that the time will come to celebrate a free Christmas in the churches of our beloved places, in Famagusta, Morphou, Kyrenia and Karpasia.
With the wish that our country will continue in the New Year steadily on the path of development and prosperity, I extend to you personal wishes for health, above all, but also for you to achieve your personal goals and for your hopes and aspirations to be justified.
I wholeheartedly wish you a "Merry Christmas and a Happy and Fruitful 2023!"
(MX/IK)
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