16 Days of Activism for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
25.11.2019

Today 25 November marks the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, and with that the beginning of the global campaign “16 Days of Activism”, concluding in Human Rights Day 10 December. On these and all other days, the Religious Leaders of Cyprus continue to stand up for women’s rights and the elimination of violence, and reiterate the 2017 Joint Statement Condemning All Forms of Violence against Women and Girls.

Autumn High-Level Meeting of the Religious Leaders of Cyprus
19 November 2019

Religious leaders gather at the Swedish Residence in Nicosia for a High Level Meeting of the RTCYPP under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden. Ambassador Hagelberg hosted a very constructive lunch meeting, facilitated by Sweden’s Special Envoy on Religion, Peace-building & Conflict, organized by the Office of RTCYPP.

All five leaders of the faith communities of Cyprus were present. HB Archbishop Chrysostomos II was not able to attend the meeting in person due to health reasons. He was represented by HE Bishop Porfyrios of Neapolis. HE Archbishop Soueif was out of the country and was represented by Father Khita.

The meeting made decisions regarding sensitive and crucial items on the agenda of the dialogue. The religious leaders reiterated their resolve to meet more often and work more closely. Ambassador Hagelberg welcomed the decisions of the leaders and reassured them of his governments continued support and accompaniment to the RTCYPP.

Feast of St Chrysostomos
13.11.19

On the occasion of the feast of St Chrysostomos, also the nameday of the Head of the Greek Orthodox Church Of Cyprus, His Excellency Anders Hagelberg, Ambassador of Sweden is warmly welcomed by His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II to the Holy Liturgy at the Cathedral of St John followed by a private audience at the Synodical Hall of the Archbishopric, where the two had an opportunity to discuss the Religious Track. Ambassador Hagelberg congratulated the Archbishop on his name-day and wished him well. His Beatitude expressed his gratitude to the Swedish government for its sincere and long term support to the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process (RTCYPP) which operates under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden since 2009. Ambassador Hagelberg was accompanied by the Executive Director of the Office for RTCYPP. 

Photo credit CNA and Office of RTCYPP. 

Name Day celebration of Archbishop Chrysostomos II
12.11.19

Office of the RTCYPP accompanies the Latin, Armenian Orthodox, Maronite and Greek Evangelical Religious leaders and representatives to evening vespers at the Cathedral of St John at the Archbishopric of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus, followed by a gathering to celebrate the feast of St Chrysostomos, Nameday of Archbishop Chrysostomos II.

17th Special Pilgrimage to Hala Sultan Tekke

On 11 November 2019, 415 worshippers attended a special pilgrimage to Hala Sultan Tekke on the occasion of Mevlit Kandili (Mawlid al-Nabi), coordinated and overseen by the Office of RTCYPP.

This is one of the three pilgrimages to Hala Sultan Tekke, organised by the Muftiate of Cyprus, taking place annually for Turkish nationals living on the island who otherwise are not able to visit and pray at the most significant mosque in Cyprus.

The three special pilgrimages are part of an unprecedented agreement reached between Archbishop Chrysostomos II and Mufti Talip Atalay in 2014 within the framework of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden (RTCYPP) and supported by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus.

The crossings are facilitated by the UN and Cyprus Police forces in cooperation with UNFICYP Civil Affairs.