Within the framework of the celebration of the inauguration of the new Cathedral of Nicosia, an anniversary event was carried out in the morning of Saturday, June 12, 2021, in the Great Synodic Hall of the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus on the subject of the National Palingenesia.
Their Beatitudes the Archbishops Ieronymos of Athens and Chryssostomos of Cyprus attended the event.
Addresses were delivered by Metropolitan Gheorghios of Paphos (“What the Church has offered to the Nation through time”) and Assoc. Professor Petros Papapolyviou of the University of Cyprus, historian (“What Cypriot Hellenism offered to the Revolution of 1821 and to the struggles of the Nation for its liberation”.
Numerous mainland and Cypriot Greek State and Church dignitaries attended the event as guests.
In his address, HB Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens extolled the personality of the Archbishop of Cyprus with reference to the many gifts adorning him. Having gained much from his “sacred journey”, as His Beatitude stated, thus describing his visit to Cyprus, he congratulated everyone who worked for the perfect organization of the events on the occasion of the inauguration of the new Cathedral. He praised the care shown by the Archbishop of Cyprus so that the new Cathedral be ready in every respect for the ceremony of inauguration, as well as the excellent organization of the Seminary of the Church of Cyprus, which he had the opportunity to visit in the afternoon of the previous day. Finally, on behalf of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, the Archbishop of Athens presented the Archbishop of Cyprus with a silver medallion with representations inspired by the Revolution of 1821. As he subsequently revealed, the Archbishop of Cyprus is the first recipient of this commemorative gift prepared by the Chuch of Greece.
As a counter-gift, the Primate of the Church of Cyprus offered to the Archbishop of Athens a painted icon of Apostle Varnavas.
