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Chrysostomos of Patron: The injury and injustice against Cyprus is a shame for "civilized" humanitytranslated

July 21, 2026 · 1 min read

About Cyprus and the ongoing drama, due to the barbaric Turkish invasion, about the occupied territories and the Heroes and Martyrs of Greek Cypriots and Greeks from Metropolitan Greece, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Patras, Mr. Chrysostomos, spoke at the Divine Liturgy, at the Holy Monastery of the Prophet Ilios, Patras, on Monday, July 20.

"Unfortunately with the tolerance of the elders, His Eminence emphasized, a drama continues for Cyprus, which began in 1974, with the barbaric Turkish invasion. Thousands of fighters watered the holy lands of Cyprus with their blood, Greek Cypriots and Greeks from the Metropolitan Homeland. Thousands are missing, as well as those displaced from their ancestral homes.

It is our duty, not only to keep the memories alive, but to raise our voice and claim the justice of Cyprus and the removal of this great injustice, which keeps the Megalonisos divided.

The Holy Metropolis of Patras honors the memory of the valiantly fighting and heroically fallen defenders of Cyprus, as well as the missing, in cooperation with the Cypriots of Achaia," he said.

Afterwards, His Excellency gave the speech to the President of the Union of Cypriot Prefectures...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (10) 🌐 Show original

Виктор Киселёв

It’s a shame that this has been going on for half a century. In 1974 the Turks invaded, thousands died and disappeared, and the big powers just looked the other way. It’s good that in Patras they remember and, together with the Cypriots from Achaia, honor the memory of the heroes, this is right.

Anca Tudor

Yes, it's a wound that hasn't closed in 50 years. I remembered what the Metropolitan said about the thousands of disappeared and about those driven from their homes - it is not right for the island to be divided. It's good that they pray in Patra and keep their memory alive together with the Cypriots of Achaia.

Katherine Davis

It's sobering how the Metropolitan laid out the numbers — thousands of missing and displaced since that 1974 invasion — and still the big powers just look away. The parish here in Chicago has a few Cypriot families too, and we always light candles for the missing on the July dates. Good that Patras keeps pressing for justice together with the Achaia Cypriots.

Роман Киселёв

I agree, Victor, half a century is too much. In our parish in Yekaterinburg, we also sometimes remember those who have gone missing, especially when Cypriots from the community come to the service. Are you somehow connected with Cyprus or are you just following the topic?

Надежда Тарасова

I agree, Victor, half a century is truly a shame. In our parish in Tula, we also sometimes bake prosphora and pies for the Cypriot community who come, and we always remember their missing ones. Have you been to Cyprus yourself or are you just following the news?

Владимир Макаров

Half a century is really too much, Roman. In our parish in Tula we also remember the missing, especially in July, when families from the Greek community come. Do Cypriots often gather for services in Yekaterinburg?

Михаил Лебедев

In our Moscow parish we also commemorate in July, but there are almost no Cypriots - mostly ours, who came from Greece or Cyprus in the nineties. Do you say that families from the Greek community come to Tula every year? How many of them are usually collected?

Степан Павлов

Nadezhda, in our parish in Novosibirsk they sometimes help Cypriot families with food when they arrive. Half a century is truly a long shame, especially when so many people are missing. Do these communities often gather in Tula, or do they gather more in houses?

Татьяна Лебедева

I agree, Victor, half a century is truly a shame. In our Moscow parish we also try not to forget, especially when Cypriots from the community appear in the church. How do you feel about the fact that there is still no real pressure on Turkey from “civilized” countries?

Антон Зайцев

I agree, Tatyana, half a century is a shame, especially when we are talking about a divided island and missing people. In our New York parish we also remember them at the liturgy when the Cypriots come. Why do you think, even now, after so many years, pressure on Turkey remains only in words?