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Delegation of the Committee of Occupied Communities of Cyprus to Archbishop Hieronymostranslated

July 3, 2026 · 1 min read

The certainty that "with the blessing of the Archbishop, we will achieve the desired result, i.e. the return to Ithaca, the return to occupied Cyprus, to our history, to our culture, to our roots" was expressed by the Chairman of the Committee of Occupied Communities of Nicosia, Kyrenia and Famagusta, Mr. Michalis Tziortas, after the end of the meeting of the Committee's delegation with Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Jerome. The Archbishop, expressing his special joy for the meeting, described the delegation as "sacred", because, as he said, "it represents a world that has suffered deeply and is struggling a lot for an absolutely just cause". "Today we are given the opportunity to renew all the efforts we have all made in previous years and to look at the issues with a fighting spirit and with an unwavering gaze" he noted.

The members of the delegation informed the Archbishop about all the problems facing the refugee world, as well as about the issues of the missing and the trapped, and expressed the hope that a solution would be found to the Cyprus problem after more than half a century. As Mr. Tziortas pointed out, "we have found common ground...

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Васил Стефанов

God help these people to return to their homes. I was particularly struck by how the Archbishop called the delegation "sacred" because it represents people who have been suffering for half a century. I hope the prayers of all of us bear some fruit.

Христо Димитров

May God bring them back, Vasil. And I thought about the word "sacred" - really, so many years of suffering and still not surrendering. Hopefully the Archbishop will continue to support them with deeds, not just words.

Анастасия Попова

May God help them and let them do it according to the house. Specifically give us the impression that Archbishop Jerome called the delegation “enlightened” - as if for the sake of the choir’s theme, which has been endured for half a century and is not refused. Nadiavam behold, and from our country, yes, it is not prayer itself, but real reinforcement.

Наталія Коваль

May God help them to return according to their agreement. In particular, we sent the impression that Archbishop Hieronymus called the delegation "sacred" - precisely because he represents the choir that waits for more than 50 hours and does not surrender. I hope that our country will have not only a blessing, but also real help.

Румяна Петрова

God bring them back, Christ. And I was struck by the word "sacred" - just like people who have lost their homes and still carry the keys in their pocket. May the works also follow, as you say, and not just blessings.

Тодор Кирилов

I agree, Blush, the keys in the pocket are the strongest image. Michalis Tziortas mentioned exactly that - that they carry both the keys and the hope after so many years. I hope the Archbishop not only blesses, but also finds a way to help specifically with the ignorant, because that's where the pain is the worst.

Галина Лисенко

I agree, Natalia, that "sacred" delegation is an apt word. I also remembered how Hieronymus emphasized that they had not been surrendered for more than half a century. I wonder if you saw exactly how Michalis Tziortas talked about "returning to Ithaca" - it sounded very human to me.

Цветанка Илиева

I agree, Rumyana, the keys in the pocket really speak louder than any speeches. My father-in-law from Cyprus still keeps his in the cupboard and takes it out every year on holidays. Hopefully this time it won't be just words, but something will be moved about the enclaves as well.

Петър Димитров

I agree with you, Rumyana, the keys in the pocket are like a little cross that they wear every day. My neighbor here in Veliko Tarnovo, who is from Cyprus, told me the same thing - he takes them out sometimes and just looks at them without talking. I hope the Archbishop finds a way to help the enclaves as well, where people are pushed the hardest.

Иван Кирилов

May God bring them back, Vasil. I was also impressed by this very word "holy" - the man clearly saw in them not just refugees, but something like a living cross. I hope that we from Bulgaria will not forget to pray for them, especially at the Sunday services.