Cyprus-Forum.com

[Oracle]

Cyprus church sues Turkey over occupied north


By MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS


2009-11-24 12:22 AM

The Greek Orthodox church of Cyprus has sued Turkey in a European court for allegedly preventing worship at religious sites in the divided island's breakaway Turkish Cypriot north, a church lawyer said Monday.

The lawsuit with the European Court of Human Rights concerns 520 churches, monasteries, chapels and cemeteries the church lost when Turkey invaded in 1974, after a coup by supporters of union with Greece, said Simos Angelides, a lawyer representing the church.

The Orthodox Christian faithful cannot worship at these sites because they are either derelict or have been converted into mosques, army barracks, stables or nightclubs, Angelides said.

Turkish officials were not immediately available for comment.

The Mediterranean island is split along religious as well as ethnic lines. The Greek-Cypriot south, seat of the country's internationally recognized government, is overwhelmingly Greek Orthodox. The Turkish-Cypriot north is Muslim, but some 500 elderly Greek Cypriots still live there.

The lawsuit will likely further stoke tensions between Turkish Cypriots and the church leader, Archbishop Chrysostomos II, whom they see as an outspoken but influential hard-liner representing a nationalist fringe.

It is unlikely, however, to damage ongoing reunification talks between Cyprus President Dimitris Christofias, a Greek Cypriot, and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Although critical of Christofias' handling of the talks, Chrysostomos has been careful not to interfere, saying the lawsuit is not linked to the peace process.

The church sued Turkey because the court's past rulings hold that country responsible for the north, where it keeps 35,000 strong occupying force, Chrysostomos told The Associated Press.

The Church has "documented proof" of the destruction of religious sites in the north, and will seek unrestricted access to its property there so the faithful can worship freely, he said.

The Archbishop said the church is also seeking damages for being denied use of property that should be restored to its pre-invasion condition wherever possible.

"It's obvious that the only reason why these aforementioned rights are being violated is because we are Greek Cypriot Orthodox Christians," Chrysostomos said.

Christianity in Cyprus stretches to the faith's earliest years. The Apostle Paul is said to have preached the gospel in Cyprus in 45 A.D. and converted the island's Roman governor Sergius Paulus _ the first Roman official to undergo conversion.

Established by the Apostle Barnabas, the Cyprus Church was granted its independent status in the 5th century by Byzantine Emperor Zenon.

Among the Cyprus Church's first leaders was Lazarus, who was ordained Bishop on the island after his resurrection by Christ, according to the Christian Gospel.

http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_con ... g=eng_news

[bill cobbett]

Christos je Panayia! En na vallo don stavro mou.

We've been promised this Church legal action for ages. Given the huge, huge size of the Church's property portfolio, this is going to cost Turkey billions.

Thoxa O Theos!

[bill cobbett]

Cyprus Weekly on the subject .....

23 November 2009 10:56
Church launches ECHR application

NICOSIA - The Cyprus Church has launched an application with the European Court of Human Rights against Turkey for hundreds of churches and monasteries destroyed and desecrated in the occupied areas and for related violations of human rights of the island’s Christian Orthodox congregation.

Archbishop Chrysostomos told the media today that claims have been submitted by the Holy Archbishopric, all the bishoprics and the monasteries of Kykko and Machairas.

They concern among other claims the restoration and return of all the places of worship and the cemeteries under article 1, protocol 1 of the European Convention of Human Rights, and satisfaction for the violation of the right of freedom of religion and freedom from discrimination under articles 9 and 14 of the Convention.

The claims also include religious artifacts and chattels removed from the churches and monasteries.

The Archbishop said that the applications follow unsuccessful efforts by the Church to obtain satisfaction from Turkey itself, which controls the northern part of Cyprus through its occupation forces.

[YFred]

Considering the church's hand in propagating hatred towards TCs, and starting the troubles, they should be made to pay for the solution rather then be able to claim any money.

That's very interesting development, see if it pushes Turkey over the edge, and what would she do about it?

[Get Real!]

Considering the church's hand in propagating hatred towards TCs, and starting the troubles, they should be made to pay for the solution rather then be able to claim any money.

Considering the Turkish Cypriot education system has been spreading misinformation and propaganda for three decades poisoning your minds, the testimony of which is in your incompetence in getting your facts right, the illegal “TRNC” should pay the lot!

http://thecyprusproblem.100webspace.net ... icle23.htm

[bill cobbett]

Here's the Mouthpiece for Turkey Harryyet on the matter...

TURKEY
• DIPLOMACY
Tuesday, November 24 2009 02:11 GMT+2
Your time is 
12:10:39
 
Greek Cyprus church sues Turkey over worship in north
Font Size: Larger|Smaller
Monday, November 23, 2009
NICOSIA - The Associated Press
Greek Cyprus' Orthodox Church said it has sued Turkey for allegedly preventing worship at religious sites in Turkish Cyprus.

Church lawyer Simos Angelides said Monday the lawsuit with the European Court of Human Rights concerns 520 churches, monasteries, chapels and cemeteries. He said the court's past rulings hold Turkey responsible for Turkish Cyprus because it maintains 35,000 troops there.

Angelides said Orthodox Christian faithful could not worship at those sites because they were either derelict or have been converted to mosques, army barracks, stables or nightclubs.

[SKI-preo]

"Considering the church's hand in propagating hatred towards TCs, and starting the trouble."

Talking about what "started the trouble" is stupid. I could say the raping and murdering barbaric Hordes from outer Mongolia started "the trouble."Although it is true it would not be helpful and civilized to do so.

[YFred]

"Considering the church's hand in propagating hatred towards TCs, and starting the trouble."

Talking about what "started the trouble" is stupid. I could say the raping and murdering barbaric Hordes from outer Mongolia started "the trouble."Although it is true it would not be helpful and civilized to do so.

Please check your information more thoroughly, the trouble started in 1960 with the creation of the Akritas plan. Up to that point we had a unitary state.
The President and his supporters, the church included began the destruction with that first meeting.
Poisoned minds indeed, one must find the answer from within not from without.

[YFred]

Considering the church's hand in propagating hatred towards TCs, and starting the troubles, they should be made to pay for the solution rather then be able to claim any money.

Considering the Turkish Cypriot education system has been spreading misinformation and propaganda for three decades poisoning your minds, the testimony of which is in your incompetence in getting your facts right, the illegal “TRNC” should pay the lot!

http://thecyprusproblem.100webspace.net ... icle23.htm

Misinformation my left foot, get your history right. You invaded Cyprus just before us which makes you more of an invader then us.
In reality few hundred or a few thousand years nothing compared to how kong this island existed.
So Piss off.

[Get Real!]

Considering the church's hand in propagating hatred towards TCs, and starting the troubles, they should be made to pay for the solution rather then be able to claim any money.

Considering the Turkish Cypriot education system has been spreading misinformation and propaganda for three decades poisoning your minds, the testimony of which is in your incompetence in getting your facts right, the illegal “TRNC” should pay the lot!

http://thecyprusproblem.100webspace.net ... icle23.htm

Misinformation my left foot, get your history right. You invaded Cyprus just before us which makes you more of an invader then us.
In reality few hundred or a few thousand years nothing compared to how kong this island existed.
So Piss off.

What did I tell you?

"the testimony of which is in your incompetence in getting your facts right"