Religion in Cyprus

Religion in Cyprus is characterised by two main religious beliefs and practices; Christianity makes up 73% of the population of the island. Most Greek Cypriots, and thus the majority of the population of Cyprus, are members of the autocephalous Greek Orthodox (Church of Cyprus), whereas most Turkish Cypriots are officially Sunni Muslims. There are also Bahá'í, Catholic, Jewish, Protestant (including Anglican), Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and non-religious communities in Cyprus.

Religion in government-controlled area of Cyprus, 2011 Census[1]

  Orthodox Christianity (89.1%)
  Roman Catholic (2.9%)
  Protestant (2%)
  Islam (1.8%)
  Other (4.1%)

Religion in the entire island of Cyprus (including occupied site of Northern Cyprus), 2010[2]

  Christianity (73.2%)
  Islam (25.3%)
  Other (1.5%)

Christianity
Main article: Christianity in Cyprus
Agia Napa monastery
Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca
Agia Paraskevi Byzantine church in Yeroskipou

Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus

The largest and most important church in Cyprus, the Church of Cyprus, is an autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church within the Orthodox tradition using the Greek liturgy. It is one of the oldest Eastern Orthodox autocephalous churches, achieving independence from the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East in 431 A.D.. The bishop of the ancient capital, Salamis (renamed Constantia by Emperor Constantius II), was constituted metropolitan by Emperor Zeno, with the title archbishop. The first Bishops that held Christian ministries in Cyprus were Apostle Lazarus (Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca), Apostle Barnabas (Barnabas) and is the place of many voyages of the Apostles after the resurrection of Christ. The Church of Cyprus is recognized by the seniority and prestige of the ecumenical patriarch in Constantinople, while retaining complete administrative autonomy under its own archbishop. Seven sacraments are recognized: baptism in infancy, followed by confirmation with consecrated oil, penance, the Eucharist, matrimony, ordination, and unction in times of sickness or when near death.

Many Classical Christian architecture and buildings are located in Cyprus; along with the former tomb of Apostle Lazarus and tomb of Apostle Barnabas. Cyprus is the place where many New Testament biblical stories took place, Christian miracles were performed and where the Apostles established their first churches.

Armenian Church in Cyprus
Main article: Armenians in Cyprus
Ganchvor monastery
The Armenian compound in Nicosia, featuring the Sourp Asdvadzadzin church

The presence of Armenians in Cyprus dates back to 578. Currently, Armenian-Cypriots maintain a notable presence of about 3,500 persons, mainly inhabiting the urban areas of Nicosia, Larnaca, and Limassol. Recently, some Armenian immigrants have settled Paphos.

The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus has had a continuous presence on the island since its establishment in 973 by Catholicos Khatchig I.

Catholic Church
Main article: Catholic Church in Cyprus
St.Charbel Maronite Catholic Church, Limassol

The Catholic Church in Cyprus is part of the worldwide Catholic Church under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. There are around 10,000 Catholics in Cyprus, corresponding to just over 1% of the population. Most Catholics in Cyprus are Maronites (one of the Eastern Rite Catholics). In the 1891 census, of the 209,286 Cypriots, there were 1,131 were Maronites.

Protestantism and Anglicanism
See also: Turkish Cypriot Protestants and Anglicans

The Anglican Church of Cyprus was established in 1878. As of 1976, it falls under the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. Anglicans and Protestants, according to the official 2011 population census, amount to 2.02% of the population. With regard to Northern Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot Protestants and Anglicans are a very small community. The community numbers around 500 and can be found living throughout northern Cyprus.[3]

Islam
Main article: Islam in Cyprus
Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque in Famagusta

Muslims make up about 25% of the Cypriot population. The island was conquered by the Ottoman General Lala Mustafa Pasha from the Venetians in 1570 A.D. This conquest brought with it Turkish settlement from 1571 to 1878 A.D. for administrative duties, military fortifications, and tax collection. Turkish Cypriots are the minority of the island and adhere to the Sunni branch of Islam. Sufism also plays an important role. Historically, Muslims were spread over the whole of Cyprus, but since 1974 they have lived primarily in the north after the Turkish invasion. The Ahmadiyya community has a presence in the north.[4]

Several important Islamic shrines and landmarks exist on the island, including:

Buddhism
Main article: Buddhism in the Middle East

Judaism
Main article: History of the Jews in Cyprus
Public menorah in Nicosia

Jewish presence in Cyprus dates back to the 3rd century BC, after trade relations had been established between Cyprus and Israel.[5] Today, approximately 1,800 Cypriots are Jewish. There is a Synagogue in Larnaca.

Atheism

According to a 2011 estimate, in the Greek-Cypriot government-controlled area, 0.6% of the people consider themselves irreligious or atheist.[6] In 2018, the Cyprus Humanist Association accused Cyprus' Ministry of Education of discrimination against atheists by promoting anti-atheist educational material through its official website.[7] During the 37th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the International Humanist Union listed Cyprus in their list of states accused of promoting hatred against atheists and humanists.[8]

References
  1. "Population census of Cyprus". Statistical Service of Cyprus. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  2. Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project: Cyprus. Pew Research Center. 2010.
  4. "Members Of The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Dr Muhammed Jalal Shams, Osman Seker, Kubilay Çil: Prisoners of conscience for their religious beliefs". Amnesty International. June 5, 2002. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  5. "Cyprus: Virtual Jewish History Tour". Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  6. "Middle East :: CYPRUS". CIA The World Factbook.
  7. Evie Andreou (13 January 2018). "Humanists slam education ministry's anti-atheist teaching materials". Cyprus Mail. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  8. Elizabeth O'Casey (2018-03-09). "Actually, 'freedom from religion' is a human right, IHEU tells Vatican at the UN". Retrieved 23 April 2018.

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