Greek Cypriot side express anger over north’s refusal to allow annual church service

The Greek Cypriot side has expressed anger over North Cyprus's refusal to allow the annual church service at Ayios Mamas in Morphou (Guzelyurt) to hold, describing it as “unacceptable.”

The Bishopric of Morphou on Wednesday condemned the North Cyprus authorities for declining permission for the annual church service held every September 1, 2 and 3.

Although our request has been submitted to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force since the beginning of July 2017, the occupation authorities notified us through the UN on August 22, 2017 of their negative response, the Bishopric said.

They used religious reasons as an excuse, namely that the liturgy celebrations of Ayios Mamas coincide with the beginning of Kurban Bayram on September 1.

In our view, there is nothing that prevents Christians and Muslims in this country from holding parallel celebrations.

Also speaking on the issue is Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides who said it is regrettable as such a move could be reciprocal.

It is regrettable that after a number of years [of allowing the church service], that the occupying regime is taking this decision which does to help the climate in today’s times where pilgrimages of this kind are reciprocal, Kasoulides said.

The Bishopric’s statement said it condemned “this unacceptable act as contrary to international law” and also Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on the basis of which every person has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as freedom, alone or with others, public or private, to manifest his religion or religious beliefs.

Meanwhile a statement on Wednesday from Turkish Cypriot authorities cited security reasons for declining permission for the church service. The statement however said that the service could take place after September 5 when Bayram ends.

Muslims from the north are expected to cross to the Hala Sultan Tekke that day to mark the end of their religious celebrations.

The celebrations service for Ayios Mamas would now be held on September 1 at the church of Ayios Mamas in  Xyliatos in the Nicosia district reports CyprusMail.