Cyprus-Forum.com

[Lit]

19 January 2011 Last updated at 12:32 ET

Boy George returns Christ icon to Cyprus church

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12228059

Musician Boy George has agreed to return an icon of Christ to the Church of Cyprus that came into his possession after the 1974 Turkish invasion.

The former Culture Club singer bought the piece from a London art dealer in 1985 without knowing its origin.

Boy George - real name George O'Dowd - said he was "happy the icon is going back to its original rightful home".

"I have always been a friend of Cyprus and have looked after the icon for 26 years," he added.

"I look forward to seeing the icon on display in Cyprus for the moment and finally to the Church of St Charalambos from where it was illegally stolen."

The goodwill gesture came about after the church in New Chorio-Kythrea village gave evidence proving it was its rightful owner.

Bishop Porfyrios of Neapolis expressed "joy and gratitude" as the singer handed over the icon at the St Anagyre church in north London.

The gesture, he said, had "contributed to the efforts of the Church of Cyprus for the repatriation of its stolen spiritual treasures".

Thousands of religious artefacts went missing from northern Cyprus following Turkey's invasion of the island and its subsequent partition.

[Oracle]

Let's hope he sets an example to all those British-carpetbaggers to return all property back to the rightful owners.

A blessing in disguise to be given such wide public recognition for these Turkish crimes!

God works in mysterious ways...

[supporttheunderdog]

I agree with you on that one!

The ROC will however have to ensure that as far as is possible Turkish speaking Cypriots who were forced to flee their homes in unoocupied areas in the period up to 1974 get their houses back too

[ZoC]

This is excellent news. and like the christ icon, itself, hugely symbolic. thanks for sharing, lit.

thanks boy george! perhaps the pink panty-wearing knickerphoros can give u a huge slobbery kiss!

[denizaksulu]

I am delighted at this news, perhaps I should begin to appreciate BG more now.

[Oracle]

I agree with you on that one!

The ROC will however have to ensure that as far as is possible Turkish speaking Cypriots who were forced to flee their homes in unoocupied areas in the period up to 1974 get their houses back too

The TCs were never 'forced' to flee their homes by the RoC. They chose to go or were bribed/blackmailed by Turkey and fellow TCs.

[Oracle]

British masses learning about Turks:


"Thousands of religious artefacts went missing from northern Cyprus following Turkey’s invasion in 1974."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-storie ... -22861611/

[Oracle]

Web-surfing younger generation learning about Turks:

The icon rightfully belongs to the Church of Cyprus, in the Cypriot village of New Choria-Kythrea, who gave evidence to George proving its ownership. The artifact, along with thousands of other religious items, were stolen from northern Cyprus following the 1974 Turkish invasion.
"I have always been a friend of Cyprus and have looked after the icon for 26 years," George told BBC News on Wednesday. "I look forward to seeing the icon on display in Cyprus for the moment and finally to the Church of Saint Charalambos from where it was illegally stolen."

Atta boy, George.

http://www.spinnermusic.co.uk/2011/01/1 ... rist-icon/

[Oracle]

Rolling Stone readers, learning about Turkish invasion of Cyprus!


"Boy George has returned an icon of Jesus Christ to the Church of Cyprus after discovering that the piece was stolen during the Turkish invasion of northern Cyprus in 1974. The singer acquired the icon from a London art dealer in 1985."

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ ... n-20110119

[Oracle]

Canadians shaken with disbelief at such behaviour ...

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/ ... 64989.html