People that go to the north for anything besides prayer at churches there are “trivialising human dignity” Archbishop Georgios III said on Friday in a politically charged Christmas message.
Using the birth of Jesus Christ to make his political statement, the church’s prelate argued that the incarnation of God is necessary to wake Greek Cypriots from a “national lethargy”.
“Christ with his teaching gives the man of Cyprus, today, to understand that he debases human dignity when he enters and exits the occupied territories under the conqueror’s dictatorial restrictions, personal humiliations, and national humiliation,” he said.
However, he made an exception for those who go to pray at churches in the north, stating that it is allowed as it is a “devout pilgrimage to his churches or the graces of his ancestors, or to how his children their homes and property”.
The archbishop expressed concern about people visiting casinos in the north, staying in hotels, or using Tymbou airport.
“Even more so when he sells his property to the occupying power, facilitating it in achieving its ultimate goals. For this implies the permanent legalisation of the de-Christianisation of our occupied land and the acceleration of the occupation and de-Christianisation of the whole of Cyprus.”
Georgios insisted that the Cyprus problem needs to be reframed as an issue of occupation and invasion to restart talks. He emphasized that joint efforts of Cyprus and Greece, along with Greeks worldwide, should aim to secure for the Cypriot people the same freedom of movement and settlement enjoyed by other Europeans.
He added that constant concessions do not appease the conqueror, nor do they lead to a solution, but lead to the Turkification of the country and we must realise that the homeland is in danger.
He concluded his Christmas message by saying it is dangerous to start talks on the Cyprus issue based on the “occupier’s” terms.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Georgios conveyed another message stating that the church in Cyprus would never allow or bless adoption by gay couples. He affirmed the church’s support for the two genders, male and female, rejecting any state changes to adoption laws.
The archbishop also commented on the new crematorium set to operate in Cyprus and outlined the church’s positions for Orthodox individuals choosing cremation.
He said Orthodox people will be allowed to be cremated, but that no funeral service will be held for them, but rather only a small memorial service.