On Sunday, July 20, 2025, His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria presided over the Divine Liturgy at the historic Church of Saint George in Old Cairo, Egypt, in commemoration of the 51st anniversary of the tragic Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
Ousted with a memorial prayer for the victims of the Cypriot tragedy, the service was held at the initiative of the Cypriot Embassy in Egypt to reflect on the devastating event that displaced over 200,000 Greek Cypriots, left thousands dead or missing, and painfully divided the island, a division that remains to this day.
His Beatitude was joined in the service by Metropolitan Nikolaos of Ermoupolis (Tanta), Patriarchal Commissioner for Arab Affairs; Metropolitan Saba of Nubia, Patriarchal Commissioner and Head of the Monastery of Saint George; and Bishop Stephanos of Ebone.
Pope and Patriarch Theodoros emphasized the collective memory of the Turkish invasion by ringing the church bell 51 times—once for each year of occupation—as a powerful echo of remembrance. The Patriarch declared: “We do not forget, we do not forget, we do not forget our enslaved Cyprus,” reinforcing a vision of resilience and hope.
Patriarch of Alexandria visibly moved by the tragedy
“With deep emotion, reverence, and prayer, here at the spiritual beacon of the Alexandrian throne, we offer this sacred memorial for the repose of the souls of our martyred brothers—victims of the barbaric invasion of holy Cyprus in July 1974 and its enduring suffering.
Fifty-one years have passed since that tragic day when peaceful Cyprus experienced the destruction of war, injustice, and violence.
The Turkish invasion brought death, displacement, and occupation, leaving deep wounds that still bleed to this day. With every heartbeat, we proclaim: WE DO NOT FORGET!
We honor those who sacrificed for their homeland, freedom, and dignity. Their sacrifice is an eternal beacon and legacy for future generations.
The Church of Alexandria, through its martyric mission in Africa, does not forget.
We call upon our protector, the Virgin Mary, and Saint George, patron of this sacred monastery and of the army of Cyprus, for the salvation and peace of Cyprus—for its reunification and the restoration of its historical continuity.”
Then, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus, Ms. Polly Ioannou, delivered a speech, recounting the tragic experience endured by an entire people who have suffered and hoped for 51 years.
