Armenians in Cyprus
Encyclopedia
Armenians in Cyprus or Armenian-Cypriots (Armenian
: Կիպրահայեր, Greek
: Αρμενοκύπριοι) are ethnic Armenians
that live in Cyprus
. Armenian-Cypriots maintain a notable presence of about 3.500 on the island (including a number of non-Cypriot Armenians, mainly from Armenia
, Georgia
, Lebanon
, Russia
and Syria
), mostly centred in the capital Nicosia
, but also with communities in Larnaca
and Limassol
, where they have churches, schools, organisations and cemeteries; there is also a small unstructured Armenian community in Paphos
(all of them originating from Armenia
). The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus is based in Nicosia. According to the 1960 Constitution of Cyprus
, together with the Maronites
and the Latins
, they are recognised as a "religious group" and have opted to belong to the Greek-Cypriot
community. Armenian-Cypriots are represented by an elected Representative in the House of Representatives
; since May 2006, the Representative is Vartkes Mahdessian, a prominent businessman from Nicosia, who was re-elected in May 2011 for a new term in the Cyprus House of Representatives
. The religious leader of the community, since August 1997, is Catholicosal Vicar Varoujan Hergelian, accountable to the Catholicos of Cilicia.
captured 10.090 Armenians as prisoners in Arzanene (Aghdznik), of whom about 3.350 were transferred to Cyprus. Judging by the strategic position of the colonies they established (Armenokhori, Arminou
, Kornokipos
, Patriki
, Platani
, Spathariko
and perhaps Mousere
), it is very likely that these Armenians served Byzantium
as mercenary soldiers and frontiersmen.
More Armenians arrived during the reign of Armenian-descended Emperor Heraclius
(610–641) for political reasons, during the time of Catholicos Hovhannes Odznetsi (717–728) for commercial reasons and after the liberation of Cyprus from the Arab raids by patrician Niketas Chalkoutzes (965) for military reasons. In the mid-Byzantine period, Armenian generals and governors served in Cyprus, like Alexius, Basil, Vahram
and Levon (910–911), who undertook the construction of Saint Lazarus' basilica in Larnaca. The numerous Armenians required an analogous spiritual pastorate, and so in 973 Catholicos Khatchig I
established the Armenian Bishopric in Nicosia. Relations between Cyprus and the Armenians became more intense when the Kingdom of Cilicia
was established. The Kingdom, on the coast of Cilicia, to the north of the island, was established at around 1080 AD by Armenian refugees who fled the Seljuk
invasion to the north and remained an ally of Byzantium
. Between 1136–1138, Emperor John II Comnenus moved the entire population of the Armenian city of Tell Hamdun to Cyprus. After Isaac Comnenus’
wedding to the daughter of the Armenian prince Thoros II in 1185, Armenian nobles and warriors came with him to Cyprus, many of whom defended the island against Richard the Lionheart (1191) and the Knights Templar
(1192).
Latin Era: After the purchase of Cyprus by titular Frankish King of Jerusalem Guy de Lusignan in 1192, a massive immigration of Armenians and other peoples from Western Europe, Cilicia and the Levant took place. To these bourgeois, noblemen, knights and warriors fiefs, manors and privileges were bounteously granted. Because of their proximity, their commercial ties and a series of royal and nobility marriages, the Kingdoms of Cyprus and Cilicia became inextricably linked. Thousands of Cilician Armenians sought refuge in Cyprus fleeing the Muslim hordes and attacks: the Fall of Jerusalem (1267), the Fall of Acre (1291), the attack of the Saracens (1322), the Mameluke
attacks (1335 and 1346) and the Ottoman occupation (1403 and 1421).
The Fall of Sis
in April 1375 put an end to the Kingdom of Cilicia; its last King, Levon V, was granted safe passage to Cyprus and died in exile in Paris in 1393, after calling in vain for another Crusade. In 1396, his title and privileges were transferred to his cousin, King James I de Lusignan
, in the Saint Sophia cathedral
; subsequently, the royal crest of the Lusignan dynasty also bore the lion of Armenia. Thus ended the last fully independent Armenian entity of the Middle Ages after nearly three centuries of sovereignty and bloom. The title was then held through the centuries down to the modern day by the House of Savoy
, through the marriage of Queen Charlotte of Cyprus
to Louis of Savoy
. Although the Egyptian Mamelukes had taken over Cilicia, they were unable to maintain their hold on it; Turkic tribes eventually made their way to the region and established themselves there, leading to the conquest of Cilicia by Tamerlane. As a result, 30.000 Armenians left Cilicia in 1403 and settled in Cyprus, which continued to be ruled by the Lusignan dynasty until 1489.
During the Frankish and the Venetian Eras (1192–1489 & 1489–1570), there were Armenian churches in Nicosia
, Famagusta
, Spathariko
, Kornokipos
, Platani
, Piscopia
and elsewhere, while Armenian was one of the official languages of Cyprus. The Armenians of Nicosia had their Prelature and used to live in their own quarter, called Armenia or Armenoyitonia. In Famagusta, a Bishopric was established in the 12th century and Armenians lived around the Syrian quarter. Historical documents suggest the presence of an important monastic and theological centre there, at which Saint Nerses Lampronatsi (1153–1198) is said to have studied; of the three Armenian churches of walled Famagusta, only Ganchvor
survives, built in 1346. By 1425 the renowned Magaravank
- originally the Coptic monastery of Saint Makarios
near Halevga (Pentadhaktylos region) - was given to the Armenians, while sometime before 1504 the Benedictine nunnery of Notre Dame de Tyre
(Sourp Asdvadzadzin) in walled Nicosia came under Armenian possession. During the Latin Era, there was also a small number of Armenian Catholics in Cyprus.
Ottoman Era: During the occupation of the island by the Ottomans (1570–1571)
, about 40.000 Ottoman Armenian craftsmen were recruited. Many of the ones who survived the conquest settled mainly in Nicosia, while the Armenian Prelature was recognised as an Ethnarchy (Azkayin Ishkhanoutiun), via the millet
institution. The Bishopric in Famagusta was abolished, as the entire walled city became forbidden for non-Muslims until the early years of the British Era. Gifted with the acumen of industry, Armenians practised lucrative professions and in the beginning of the 17th century Persian Armenians
settled in Cyprus as silk traders, as did some affluent Ottoman-Armenian
families in the 18th and 19th century. However, with the new order of things, the number of Armenians dramatically declined due to the onerous taxation and the harshness of the Ottoman administration, compelling many Christians to become Linobambaki (Crypto-Christians) or to embrace Islam, which explains why former Armenian villages (Armenokhori, Artemi
, Ayios Iakovos
, Ayios Khariton
, Kornokipos
, Melounda and Platani
) were inhabited by “Turkish-Cypriots
” at the end of the 19th century; a few Armenians-Cypriots became Catholics through marriage with affluent Latin families.
Gradually, after the bloody 1821 events, some improvements were observed during the Tanzimat
period (1839–1876), resulting in the participation of the Armenian Bishop in the Administrative Council (meclis idare) and the employment of some Armenians in the civil service. Additionally, the opening of the Suez Canal
in 1869 benefited the Armenian and other merchants of the island. Throughout the Ottoman Era (1571–1878), the vast majority of the Armenian population of Cyprus had been Armenian Orthodox, although there is also mention of a small Armenian Catholic community in Larnaca. Of the three religious groups, the Armenians are the only ones to have a continuous presence of Prelates throughout the Osmanian occupation. Based on various estimates, the Armenian-Cypriot community of the 19th century numbered between 150–250 persons, the majority of whom lived in Nicosia
, with smaller numbers living in Famagusta
, Larnaca
, the north and south of Nicosia (especially in Dheftera and Kythrea
) and, naturally, in and near Magaravank
.
British Era: With the arrival of the British in July 1878 and their progressive administration, the already prosperous yet small Armenian community of the island was particularly strengthened. Known for their linguistic skills, several Armenians were contracted to Cyprus to work as interpreters and public servants at the consulates and the British administration. The number of Armenians in Cyprus significantly increased following the massive deportations, the horrific massacres and the Genocide
perpetrated by the Ottomans and the Young Turks
(1894–1896, 1909 & 1915–1923). Cyprus widely opened its arms to welcome over 10.000 refugees from Cilicia
, Smyrna
and Constantinople
, who arrived in Larnaca
and all its other harbours, some by chance, others by intent; about 1.500 of them made the island their new home. Industrious, cultivated and progressive, they brought new life into the old community and did not need long to find their feet and establish themselves as people of the arts, letters and sciences, able entrepreneurs and formidable merchants, unsurpassed craftsmen and photographers, as well as pioneering professionals who introduced new crafts, dishes and sweets to the island, thus significantly contributing to Cyprus’ socioeconomic and cultural development.
Law-abiding by nature, Armenian-Cypriots always had a high profile with the British administration and many became conscientious civil servants and disciplined policemen or were employed in the Cyprus Government Railway
and in Cable and Wireless. Throughout the 1920s–1950s, many worked at the asbestos mines at Amiandos
and the copper mines at Mavrovouni and Skouriotissa
, some of whom had been trade unionists. Some Armenian-Cypriots participated in the 1897 Greco-Turkish War
, the two World Wars (1914–1918 & 1939–1945) and the EOKA
liberation struggle (1955–1959). Also, the Eastern Legion
(later called Armenian Legion) was formed and trained between December 1916 and May 1918 in Monarga
village, near Boghazi, consisting of over 4.000 Diasporan Armenian volunteers who heroically fought against the Ottoman Empire. Some Armenian refugees arrived from Palestine
(1947–1949) and Egypt (1956–1957).
The Armenian-Cypriot community prospered throughout the British Era (1878–1960), by establishing associations, choirs, scout groups, sports teams, musical ensembles, churches, cemeteries and schools, including the renowned Melkonian Educational Institute. In many ways unique across the whole Armenian Diaspora, it was built just outside Nicosia between 1924–1926, after the generous and benevolent donation of the Egyptian-Armenian tobacco trading brothers Krikor and Garabed Melkonian, initially in order to shelter and educate 500 orphans of the Genocide, who planted the trees in front of the school in memory of their slaughtered relatives. From an orphanage (1926–1940), it gradually became a world-renowned secondary school with a boarding section (1934–2005).
Examining the population censuses of the British Era (see Demography section), we observe a fluctuation in the number of Armenians in Cyprus, ranging from 201 in 1881 to 4.549 in 1956. In their vast majority they were Armenian Apostolic, but there were also a small number of Armenian Catholics and Armenian Protestants. In the 1960 population census, 3.628 Armenians were recorded - in contrast to 4.549 in 1956 - as about 900 Armenian-Cypriots had emigrated to Great Britain
and elsewhere, due to the emergency situation caused by the EOKA liberation struggle (1955–1959) and the uncertainty that some felt with the departure of the British, whom they viewed as their protectors. In fact, a large portion of British-Armenians
hail from Cyprus.
Independence Era: The 1960 Independence brought a new era for the Armenians of Cyprus, who were recognised as a "religious group" and were now represented by an elected Representative. However, their number was further reduced because of the emigration of about 600 Armenian-Cypriots to Soviet Armenia, as part of the Panarmenian movement for "repatriation" during the 1962–1964 period (nerkaght). During the 1963–1964 inter-communal troubles, the Armenian-Cypriot community suffered major losses, as the Armenian quarter of Nicosia
was captured by extremist Turkish-Cypriots: taken were the Prelature building, the Sourp Asdvadzadzin church
, the Melikian-Ouzounian school, the Genocide Monument, the Armenian Club, AYMA and AGBU and the Armenian Evangelical church; also taken was the Ganchvor church
in Famagusta
. In total, 231 Armenian-Cypriot families became victims to the Turks. As a result, many Armenian-Cypriots left for Great Britain
, Canada, Australia and the United States. After the 1974 Turkish invasion
, the Armenian-Cypriot community suffered additional losses: about 4–5 families living in Kyrenia
, 30 families in Nicosia
and 40–45 families in Famagusta
became refugees, while an Armenian-Cypriot lady has been missing since then; the renowned Magaravank
monastery in Pentadhaktylos was taken by the Turkish troops, the Melkonian boys' building was bombed by the Turkish Air Force, while the Ayios Dhometios cemetery fell within the buffer zone. As a result, some Armenian-Cypriots emigrated, mainly to Great Britain
.
Despite its losses and with the unfailing support of the government, the small yet industrious Armenian community of Cyprus continued to prosper in the remaining urban areas, contributing culturally and socioeconomically to the development of our homeland. On 24 April 1975, Cyprus became the first European country (and the second world-wide, after Uruguay
) to recognise the Armenian Genocide
with Resolution 36/1975. Over the past decades, the dynamics of the Armenian-Cypriot community have changed with the increased number of marriages with Greek-Cypriots and the arrival over the last 30–35 years of thousands of Armenian political and economic immigrants because of the civil war in Lebanon (1975–1990), the insurgencies in Syria
(1976–1982), the Islamic revolution in Iran
and the Iran-Iraq war
(1978–1988), as well as after the big earthquake in Armenia (1988) and the dissolution of the Soviet Union
(1991); some of them have settled permanently in Cyprus. According to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
of the Council of Europe
, the Armenian language
- the mother tongue of the vast majority of Armenian-Cypriots - was recognised as a minority language of Cyprus
as of 1st December 2002. Today, it is estimated that Armenians living in Cyprus number over 3.500 persons; other than the countries mentioned above, in Cyprus there is also a small number of Armenians coming from Ethiopia
, Greece
, Kuwait
, Turkey
and the United Kingdom
.
The British colonial censuses that took place between 1881 and 1956 provide us with fairly accurate data on the Armenian population of Cyprus. The following numbers are the combined figures of those recorded as Armenian (by religion) and those recorded as speakers of Armenian. In 1881 there were 201 Armenians in Cyprus, who increased to 291 in 1891 and 553 in 1901; the numerical increase was due to the influx of Armenian refugees from the Hamidian massacres
. In 1911 there were 616 Armenians, while in 1921 their number rose to 1.573 and to 3.617 in 1931, as a result of the huge wave of refugees from the Armenian Genocide
. In 1935 the Armenian Prelature recorded 3.819 Armenians in Cyprus. In 1946 there were 3.962 Armenians in Cyprus, while in 1956 they numbered 4.549.
The last accurate census of the population of Cyprus with regard to its ethnic breakdown was carried out in 1960; it recorded 3.628 Armenians. In 1978 and 1987 the Armenian Prelature recorded the Armenian population of Cyprus, which was 1.787 and 2.742, respectively. Currently, about 3.500 Armenians live in Cyprus; 65% live in the capital, Nicosia
, 20% in Larnaca
, 10% in Limassol
and 5% in Paphos
and some villages. Over 95% of the Armenian population speak Armenian and are Armenian Orthodox (also known as Armenian Apostolic or Gregorian); some 5% belong either to the Armenian Evangelical Church
, the Armenian Catholic Church
, the Latin Church
, the Greek Orthodox Church
, the Anglican Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church
or they are Jehovah's Witnesses
.
The map on the right shows the places of origin of Armenian-Cypriots, according to a survey that Archbishop Bedros Saradjian
conducted in 1935. According to available information, the about 1.000 refugees from the Hamidian massacres
(1894–1896) mainly originated from Diyarbakir
, Aintab and Kilis
; only about 100 of them stayed. The next wave of Armenian refugees were the 2.000 who fled the Adana massacre
in 1909, most of whom returned to their ancestral homes in Adana
within the same year.
However, the big wave of refugees - some of whom had come before and returned - were the nearly 9.000 who escaped the massive deportations, the horrific massacres and the Genocide
perpetrated by the Ottomans and the Young Turks
; about 1.300 of them decided to stay, while the others eventually made arrangements to settle in other countries. These refugees came mainly from Adana
and Seleucia
, while there a significant number of them came from Sis
, Marash, Tarsus
, Caesarea
, Hadjin and Aintab; smaller numbers came from the other places noted on the map, alphabetically: Adapazar
, Adrianople (Edirne)
, Afion-Karahisar
, Alexandretta (Iskenderoun), Arapgir, Armash
Baghche
, Bardizag
, Balian Dagh, Biredjik
, Bitlis
Brusa, Chemishgezek
, Constantinople (Bolis)
Dortyol
, Edessa (Urfa)
, Erzerum
, Eskishehir
, Everek
, Ikonion (Konya), Jeyhan
, Kesab, Kharpert, Kutahia
, Malatia, Mersin
, Misis, Musa Dagh (Musa Ler)
, Nicomedia (Izmit)
, Rhaedestos (Tekirdagh), Sasun, Sebastia (Sivas), Shar, Sivri Hisar
, Smyrna (Izmir)
, Tokat (Evdokia)
, Trepizond, Van
, Yerzinga, Yozgat
and Zeitun
.
(1961– ) is a Cypriot
politician of Armenian descent. He has been the President of the Democratic Party
since 2006. After the election of Demetris Christofias
as President of the Republic of Cyprus in February 2008, Garoyian was elected to the position of the President of the House of Representatives in Cyprus, the second highest political position in Cyprus. He served as House Speaker until June 2011.
Finally, it is important to say that all three major Armenian Diaspora parties are active in Cyprus, especially ARF Dashnaktsoutiun. With regard to clubs, in Nicosia there is AYMA
, AGBU and Nor Serount. In Larnaca there is the Armenian Club and AGBU, while in Limassol there is LHEM. Nicosia is also the base of the Armenian National Committee of Cyprus, the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society (Hamazkayin), the Armenian Relief Society of Cyprus (HOM) and the Armenian Youth Federation of Cyprus.
There is also the Kalaydjian Foundation (established in 1984), responsible for the Kalaydjian Rest Home for the Elderly, and Arev Benevolent Foundation (established in 2008).
, the Armenians, the Latins
and the Maronites
were recognised as “religious groups”. In the referendum held on 13 November 1960, all three religious groups opted to belong to the co-religious Greek-Cypriot community (as it was expected), something which consequently defined their political options in the game of inter-communal controversy and somewhat affected their relations with the Turkish-Cypriots
, who in turn viewed them as an extension of the Greek-Cypriot political choices. This is why the religious groups were treated similarly or even worse during the inter-communal troubles (1963–1964) and the brutal and unlawful Turkish invasion
(1974).
Article 110 § 3 recognises the administrative autonomy of the religious groups’ Churches, as it was established with the Hatt-ı Hümayun in 1856. According to Article 111, the three Churches retain their powers regarding matters of personal status. Law 95/1989 transferred the jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical courts to the family courts, the configuration of which was defined by Law 87(I)/1994; of the three religious groups, only the Armenians participate in their workings.
In accordance with the provisions of Article 109 of the Constitution
, Armenian-Cypriots were given political representation: as a result of their choice to belong to the Greek-Cypriot community, an Armenian and a Latin participated in the Nicosia members of the Greek Communal Chamber, while a Maronite participated in the Kyrenia members (Colonial Law 6/1960 and Greek Communal Chamber Law 8/1960). The two Communal Chambers, which acted as a Lower Parliament, had jurisdiction over all religious, educational, cultural and other affairs of communal nature (Article 87).
With the secession of the Turkish-Cypriots from the common state in 1963 and the self-dissolution of the Greek Communal Chamber in 1965, it was decided to transfer the executive powers of the Greek Communal Chamber to the newly-formed Ministry of Education and its legislative powers to the House of Representatives
(Law 12/1965). According to the Decision of the Council of Ministers 4.907/29–07–1965, it was decided that the three Representatives would provisionally continue to represent their communities in the House on issues pertaining to the jurisdiction of their Chamber and that the House was to request their opinion before legislating on pertinent matters (Law 12/1965). In order to approximate the tenure of the other MPs, the term of the three Representatives was annually extended (Law 45/1965, Law 49/1966, Law 50/1967, Law 87/1968 and Law 58/1969). The status of the three Representatives’ status in the House of Representatives was confirmed with Law 58/1970 and furthermore specified with Law 38/1976, Law 41/1981 and Law 66(I)/2011. As of 1991, the elections for the three Representatives take place simultaneously and in parallel with the general parliamentary elections and the Representatives’ term is exactly the same with that of the proper MPs (Law 70/1986).
The Representatives act as liaisons between their communities and the state and they are par excellence competent to bring before the state all issues relating to their group. Their participation has a 5-year duration and a consultative character, as although they can express their views on matters relating to their group, they do not have the right to vote. Especially in the case of the Armenians, the Representative delivers a speech about the Armenian Genocide
during the plenary session of the House convened on or near the 24th of April each year.
The Representatives enjoy the same privileges as the other MPs (non-liability, immunity, remuneration, tax exemptions etc), they attend the plenary sessions of the House, they participate in the Parliamentary Committee for Education and the Consultative Committee for Private Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture, while as of 1999 they appoint the Elder MP of their group. Although they can express their views on matters relating to their group, they do not have the right to vote. Additionally, the Armenian and the Maronite Representatives consult with the Minister of Education and Culture, in relation to the latter's suggestion to the Council of Ministers regarding the appointment of the Armenian Schools' Committee and the Maronite Schools' Committee (Law 103(I)/1999).
The following elections were held on 14 March 1982 between Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian and Aram Kalaydjian, who secured 58.36% (771 votes); Aram Kalaydjian was re-elected on 13 July 1986, with Anna Ashdjian as his opponent, after securing 65,08% (792 votes), and again on 19 May 1991, again winning over Anna Ashdjian and receiving 67,00% (875 votes). Because of his death on 10 September 1995, a by-election took place on 22 October 1995, between Kevork Mahdessian and Bedros Kalaydjian, who won with 60,34% (849 votes). Bedros Kalaydjian was re-elected on 26 May 1996, securing 73,91% (997 votes) against Anna Ashdjian and again on 27 May 2001, receiving 57,13% (857 votes) against Dr. Garabed Khatcho-Kazandjian.
Because of Bedros Kalaydjian's death on 1 September 2005, a by-election was held on 9 October 2005, with Dr. Vahakn Atamyan receiving 52,03% (769 votes) against Dr. Antranik Ashdjian (43,91%) and Parsegh Zartarian (4,12%). The next elections took place on 21 May 2006, with Vartkes Mahdessian receiving 52,60% (899 votes) against Dr. Vahakn Atamyan. The most recent elections were held on 22 May 2006, with Vartkes Mahdessian securing 67,67% (1.105 votes) against Dr. Antranik Ashdjian.
Although not elected, the Armenians in Nicosia also have a mukhtar, appointed by the Ministry of Interior. The first mukhtar was Kasbar Delyfer (1930s–1955), succeeded by Vahe Kouyoumdjian (1955–2009). As of 1 January 2011, the current Armenian mukhtar is Mgo Kouyoumdjian.
and ever since it has maintained a continuous presence on the island. Historically, the Prelature has been under the jurisdiction of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, while today it is the oldest theme that falls under its jurisdiction. In the past, for various reasons, it was at times under the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople
(1759–1775, 1800–1812, 1861–1864, 1908–1926), the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem
(1775–1800, 1812–1837, 1888–1908), even the Catholicosate of Etchmiadzin
(1864–1888). The Prelate, usually a Catholicosal Vicar General, is as of 1997 Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian. The parish priest in Nicosia
is Fr. Momik Habeshian (since 2000), while the parish priest in Larnaca
and Limassol
is Fr. Mashdots Ashkarian (since 1992).
For centuries, the Prelature building was located within the Armenian compound on Victoria street in walled Nicosia; when that area was taken over by Turkish-Cypriot extremists in 1963–1964, the Prelature was temporarily housed on Aram Ouzounian street (1964–1968) and, later on, on Kyriakos Matsis street in Ayios Dhometios (1968–1984). Thanks to the efforts of Bishop Zareh Aznavorian and with the financial aid of the Evangelical Church of Westphalia
, the new Prelature building was erected in 1983, next to the Sourp Asdvadzadzin
church and the Nareg school in Nicosia. It was officially inaugurated on 4 March 1984, during the pastoral visit of Catholicos Karekin II
. By initiative of Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, in 1998 the basement of the building was renovated and the “Vahram Utidjian” Hall was formed; previously a store room, it became a reality from the proceeds of the auction in 1994 of the art collection that Vahram Utidjian had donated to the Prelature in 1954. It was inaugurated on 3 February 1999 by Catholicos Aram I
; numerous charity, communal and cultural events take place there. The Prelature’s consistory houses a collection of ecclesiastical relics, some of which were previously in the old Sourp Asdvadzadzin
church or the Magaravank
.
The current Charter of the Prelature, first drafted in 1945 and ratified in 1950, consists of 102 articles and, in its present form, applies as of 3 September 2010. The administration is exercised by the Armenian Ethnarchy (Azkayin Ishkhanoutiun) through the Diocesan Council (Temagan Joghov, consisting of the Prelate, two pastors and twelve elected lay persons) and the Administrative Council (Varchagan Joghov, consisting of the Prelate and seven appointed lay persons), currently chaired by Sebouh Tavitian (as of 2007) and John Guevherian (as of 2011), respectively. There are also the local parish committees (taghagan hokapartsoutiunner, one in Nicosia
, one in Larnaca
and one in Limassol
), the committee for Christian instruction (Krisdoneagan tasdiaragoutian hantsnakhoump) and the Ladies’ committee (Dignants hantsnakhoump).
, two in the capital Nicosia
(one under Turkish occupation since 1974) and from one in Limassol
, Larnaca
and Famagusta
; the latter has been occupied by the Turks since 1974. There are also three Armenian chapels in the vicinity of Nicosia and one within the Magaravank
complex, also under Turkish occupation since 1974.
Nicosia
: The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus and the cathedral of Sourp Asdvadzadzin
(Virgin Mary) are located in Strovolos
, Nicosia
. The Prelature building, built in 1983–1984 and inaugurated on 4 March 1984 by Catholicos Karekin II of Cilicia, houses a collection of ecclesiastical relics, as well as the "Vahram Utidjian" Hall, which was inaugurated on 3 February 1999 by Catholicos Aram I
. The hall, previously a store room, became a reality from the proceeds of the auction in 1994 of the art collection that Vahram Utidjian donated to the Prelature in 1954.
The cathedral was built between 1976–1981, next to Nareg Elementary School, and was inaugurated on 22 November 1981 by Catholicos Khoren I
. In the old Armenian cemetery, near the Ledra Palace
hotel, there is the Sourp Boghos
(Saint Paul) chapel, built in 1892 by donation of Boghos Odadjian; it was restored between 2008–2009, along with the rest of the cemetery. In the Armenian cemetery near Ayios Dhometios there is the Sourp Haroutiun
(Holy Resurrection) chapel, built in 1938 by donation of Haroutiun Bohdjalian and consecrated in 1949 by Bishop Ghevont Chebeyan. Finally, the Sourp Amenapergitch
(Saviour of All) chapel, was built between 1995–1997, by donation of Aram and Bedros Kalaydjian. It is located in Strovolos
, within the premises of the Kalaydjian Rest Home for the Elderly, and it was inaugurated by Catholicos Aram I
on 16 February 1997.
The old Sourp Asdvadzadzin
(Virgin Mary) cathedral, today in the Turkish-occupied part of the walled city of Nicosia
, also known as Notre Dame de Tyre or Tortosa, was originally a Benedictine Abbey built in 1308, where Armenian-Catholic nuns served. Sometime before 1504 it passed into the hands of the Armenian Apostolic Church
and it used to be the centre of the Armenian community of Cyprus until it was captured, along with the rest of the Armenian quarter, by Turkish-Cypriot extremists during the 1963–1964 Turkish-Cypriot mutiny and occupied by Turkey during the 1974 Turkish invasion. It was located next to the old Prelature building, the Melikian-Ouzounian school, the Armenian Genocide monument and the Melikian family mansion. Heavily desecrated, its restoration finally started in October 2009 by the UNDP-AID, and it is expected to be completed in early 2012.
There was also a small Armenian Evangelical church, located in the Turkish-occupied part of the walled city of Nicosia, built in 1945–1946 near the Arab Ahmed mosque
and inaugurated on 23 July 1946. Today it is illegally used as a handicrafts centre.
Larnaca
: The church of Sourp Stepanos
(Saint Stephen) was built between 1909–1913 in memory of the martyrs of the Adana massacre
. It was inaugurated on 20 May 1914 by Senior Archimandrite Serovpe Samvelian and was consecrated on 30 June 1918 by Archbishop Taniel Hagopian.
Limassol
: The church of Sourp Kevork
(Saint George) was built between 1939–1940. It was consecrated on 11 April 1948 by Bishop Ghevont Chebeyian.
Famagusta
: The church of Sourp Asdvadzadzin Ganchvor
(Virgin Mary the Caller), built in 1346, is located in the Turkish-occupied walled city of Famagusta
. Left for more than three and a half centuries unused, because of Ottoman restrictions, it was repaired between 1937–1944 and was officially re-inaugurated on 14 January 1945 by Archimandrite Krikor Bahlavouni (also known as "Topal" Vartabed). Taken by extremist Turkish-Cypriot during the 1963–1964 Turkish-Cypriot mutiny and occupied by Turkey during the 1974 Turkish invasion, it was left at the mercy of nature and vandals.
Halevga: Of great importance is the Sourp Magar
(Saint Makarios) monastery, located in Turkish-occupied Halevga, on the Pentadhaktylos mountain range. The monastery was originally established by Copts circa the year 1000 and it passed into the hands of the Armenians sometime before 1425. It was a renowned place of pilgrimage for Armenians and non-Armenians alike, as well as being a place of recuperation and rest and a way station for Armenian clergymen and pilgrims en route to the Holy Land. A large number of beautiful and invaluable manuscripts were housed there, as was the miracle-working icon of Saint Makarios. The chapel of the monastery, built in 1814 within the Magaravank
compound, was completely defaced and desecrated by the Turkish troops, who occupied the monastery in August 1974. Left at the mercy of nature and vandals, today it is in a pitiful state.
, whose statue was placed in 1991 in front of the Nicosia Nareg school, sculpted by the famous Armenian sculptor Levon Tokmadjian. There is one Nareg school in Nicosia
, one in Larnaca
and one in Limassol
, all under the auspices of the Armenian Schools' Committee. In Nicosia
, the Nareg School also operates as a Gymnasium (Junior High School), as of September 2005. As of September 2009, the schools' Headmistress is Vera Tahmazian, while as of November 2009 the 11-member Schools' Committee is headed by Vartan Tashdjian. All three schools are adjacent to the local churches and have about 185 students in total. The education they provide is tri-lingual (Armenian, Greek, English) and their curriculum is equivalent to that provided by the Cypriot public schools, in addition to lessons of Armenian language, history and religion, as well as activities that cultivate Armenianism and Armenology. Their budget is covered entirely by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Cyprus.
Melkonian: The renowned Melkonian Educational Institute was built after the generous and benevolent donation of brothers Krikor and Garabed Melkonian, initially to house about 500 orphans of the Armenian Genocide
. Its foundation stone was laid on 15 February 1924 by High Commissioner Sir Malcolm Stevenson
and it was inaugurated on 13 February 1926 by Archbishop Zaven der Yeghiayian. The grove in front of the school was planted by the first orphans, in memory of their relatives who perished during the Armenian Genocide
. The Melkonian evolved from an orphanage (1926–1940) to a renowned secondary school (1934–2005). A unique and unparalleled achievement, it was a beacon of hope and culture for Armenianism and Armenophony across the world, boasting an international membership of Armenian students from all over the world, with 1.828 graduates. Rightly, it was called an ambassador of Cyprus to all over the world. It had a boarding section, a rich library and well-equipped laboratories. Also known as "an island within an island", it had a great educational and cultural impact on the Armenian-Cypriot community. It had a theatre group, a dance group, a choir, a band, a football team, a basketball team, a boys' volleyball team and a girls' volleyball team, as well as the historical 7th Cyprus Scout Group (1932–2006) and the 9th Cyprus Guide Team (1950–2005). It published, amongst others, the famous "Ayk" magazine, the oldest Armenian secondary school magazine (1937–2006). The school was administered by the New York-based AGBU
, according to the contract signed by the benefactor Garabed Melkonian on 28 December 1925. Unfortunately, it was closed down in 2005 because of AGBU's greed masked behind the façade that the school was no longer operating efficiently. Although the litigation was won by AGBU's legal team, there is a permanent ministerial decree (02/03/2007) that characterises 60% of its total area as being of "special architectural, historical and social character and natural beauty".
Nicosia
: Nicosia's first Armenian school was established in 1870 by newly-arrived Archimandrite Vartan Mamigonian and was called "Armenian National School". In 1886 it was repaired by priest Hovhannes Shahinian, who called it "Vartanants Boys' School", while in 1902 Archimandrite Bedros Saradjian
founded the "Shoushanian Girls' School". In 1921, by the will and testament of wealthy local landowner Artin Bey Melikian, the "Melikian National School" was founded, thus replacing the previous two schools into a co-educational one. In 1938 the "Ouzounian National School" was built, after the donation of successful businessman Dickran Ouzounian; subsequently, the school operated under the name "Melikian-Ouzounian National School". Both of them were taken over by Turkish-Cypriot extremists during the 1963–1964 Turkish-Cypriot mutiny. From February–June 1964, the "Armenian National School" was housed at the Mitsis School for Girls on Makarios Avenue
, while from September 1964–June 1972 it was housed in two pre-fabricated buildings on the grounds of the Melkonian, until it moved to its current premises, built between 1971–1972. The new building was inaugurated on 12 November 1972 by Archbishop Makarios III
and Catholicos Khoren I
.
Larnaca
: Larnaca's Armenian school was originally established in 1909, by donation of Adana Bishop Moushegh Seropian, and was called "Mousheghian National School". It was re-built in 1923 and was called "Armenian National School". A new school was built between 1995–1996 and it was inaugurated on 18 May 1996 by President Glafcos Clerides.
Limassol
: Limassol's school was originally established in 1928 as "Armenian National School", but it acquired its own building in 1951, which was expanded in 1954. It was re-built between 2006–2007 and was inaugurated on 5 November 2008 by President Demetris Christofias.
Famagusta
: Famagusta's Armenian school was originally established in late 1927 as "Armenian National School". It operated in various rented houses until 1974, when the city was occupied by the Turks, as it never had its own building.
In the past, an Armenian school also operated in Pano Amiandos
(1928–1948) and during World War II in the villages of Agros
, Anaphotia
, Lefka
, Ormidhia
, Pano Lefkara
, Pedhoulas
, Pervolia, Prodhromos and Skouriotissa
.
There was also a small school at the Armenian Monastery
in Pentadhaktylos (1897–1914 and 1922–1925), a small Armenian Catholic school in Larnaca
(1921–1923) and a small Armenian Protestant kindergarten in Nicosia
(1900–1905). There were also some short-lived Armenian schools in Larnaca during the early 1920s, as a result of the huge influx of refugees from the Armenian Genocide
.
Of particular importance was the "National Educational Orphanage", which was founded by Vahan Kurkjian
(also known as Pagouran), in order to educate orphaned children from the Hamidian massacres
. It operated in Nicosia and, during the summer months, the Sourp Magar
monastery between 1897–1904. Its students later became successful and influential, some in Cyprus, others in the Armenian Diaspora.
Nicosia
: The current white marble Armenian Genocide Monument
was constructed between 1990–1991 by architect and painter John Guevherian and it is located in the courtyard of the new Sourp Asdvadzadzin
church in Strovolos
; its black granite cross is the work of Armenian sculptor Levon Tokmadjian. It was unveiled on 24 April 1991. In 1996 some martyrs' remains, brought by members of an Armenian Relief Society
mission from the Der Zor desert in Syria, were interred within the monument, while more bone remains are kept in the two marble ossuaries, built in 2000 in front of the monument by the Eghoyian and Tembekidjian families.
In front of the Sourp Asdvadzadzin
church, there is a white marble khachkar
, the work of Lebanese-Armenian sculptor Boghos Taslakian (also known as Aghassi), which stands as a "symbol of friendship between Armenians and Greeks of Cyprus", and a bronze bust of Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian, the work of Lebanese-Armenian sculptor Mgrdich Mazmanian. The khachkar was unveiled on 21 October 2001 by Presidential Commissioner Manolis Christophides, while the bust was unveiled on 1 May 2005 by the benefactor, Italian-Armenian
Aleco Bezigian. In front of the Nareg School there is the sandstone statue of Saint Krikor Naregatsi
, the work of Armenian sculptor Levon Tokmadjian. It was unveiled on 28 March 1991 by School Committee member Takouhi Ashdjian.
It is worth mentioning the fact that the road in front of the Armenian complex in Strovolos, Nicosia was re-named on 10 December 1979 from Cyclops street to Armenia street, after a decision by Strovolos Improvement Board, as a gesture of solidarity to the brotherly Armenian people. Today, Armenia street is one of the busiest roads of the greater Nicosia area and it is the centre of the traditional march for the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
on 24 April every year.
In 1991, the sandstone bust of Boghos Noubar Pasha
was placed to the side of Nicosia AGBU's entrance, also the work of Armenian sculptor Levon Tokmadjian. On 28 April 2002, a white marble tomb-ossuary containing some martyrs' remains, brought by an Armenian Youth Federation mission from the Der Zor desert in Syria in 2001, was inaugurated by Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian in front of the AYMA
premises in Strovolos. There is also a commemorative aluminium plate, located in the Ayp cemetery (near Ledra Palace
), which was placed 2010 and contains the names of the 419 people buried there.
Finally, in the old Armenian complex
on Victoria street (nowadays in the Turkish-occupied Nicosia sector) was located the first Armenian Genocide monument in Cyprus, constructed in 1932 by architect Garo Balian and considered to be the second oldest of its kind in the world. It was inaugurated on 24 April 1932 by Archbishop Bedros Saradjian
. Unfortunately, it became itself a victim of the Turks during the 1963–1964 Turkish-Cypriot mutiny.
Melkonian: The white marble Benefactors' Mausoleum, with the bronze busts of Garabed and Krikor Melkonian, is located between the twin buildings, the work of French-Armenian
sculptor Leon Mouradoff and French-Armenian
architect Mardiros Altounian. It replaced an older, wooden trellis monument. Its foundation stone was laid on 24 April 1954 by Archbishop Ghevont Chebeyian, who also inaugurated the Mausoleum on 15 January 1956.
Between 1979–1980, artist Sebouh Abcarian constructed the twin sandstone monuments of the Armenian Alphabet and a synthesis resembling Mayr Hayastan
; they were initially placed at the crossroads to the hospital and were inaugurated on 8 May 1981 by AGBU
's President Alec Manougian
. In 1987 they were placed in their current position, on the twin buildings' sides that face the Benefactors' Mausoleum. Between 1990–1991 Armenian sculptor Levon Tokmadjian sculpted a series of 7 sandstone statues depicting important pillars of Armenian history and letters (Hovhannes Aivazovsky, Hagop Meghabard
Armenian language
The Armenian language is an Indo-European language spoken by the Armenian people. It is the official language of the Republic of Armenia as well as in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The language is also widely spoken by Armenian communities in the Armenian diaspora...
: Կիպրահայեր, Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
: Αρμενοκύπριοι) are ethnic Armenians
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
that live in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. Armenian-Cypriots maintain a notable presence of about 3.500 on the island (including a number of non-Cypriot Armenians, mainly from Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
, Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
), mostly centred in the capital Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, but also with communities in Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
and Limassol
Limassol
Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 . It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.Limassol is the...
, where they have churches, schools, organisations and cemeteries; there is also a small unstructured Armenian community in Paphos
Paphos
Paphos , sometimes referred to as Pafos, is a coastal city in the southwest of Cyprus and the capital of Paphos District. In antiquity, two locations were called Paphos: Old Paphos and New Paphos. The currently inhabited city is New Paphos. It lies on the Mediterranean coast, about west of the...
(all of them originating from Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
). The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus is based in Nicosia. According to the 1960 Constitution of Cyprus
Constitution of Cyprus
The Constitution of Cyprus is a document, ratified on August 16, 1960, that serves as the framework for the Cypriot government. It was drafted after the country won its independence in 1959....
, together with the Maronites
Maronites in Cyprus
The Maronites in Cyprus are members of the Maronite Church whose ancestors migrated from the Levant during the Middle Ages. They traditionally speak their own variety of Arabic in addition to Greek...
and the Latins
Roman Catholicism in Cyprus
The Roman Catholic Church in Cyprus is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome.There are around 10,000 Catholic faithful in Cyprus, corresponding to just over 1% of the total population...
, they are recognised as a "religious group" and have opted to belong to the Greek-Cypriot
Greek Cypriots
Greek Cypriots are the ethnic Greek population of Cyprus, forming the island's largest ethnolinguistic community at 77% of the population. Greek Cypriots are mostly members of the Church of Cyprus, an autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church within the wider communion of Orthodox Christianity...
community. Armenian-Cypriots are represented by an elected Representative in the House of Representatives
House of Representatives of Cyprus
The House of Representatives is the parliament of Cyprus. It has 59 members elected for a five year term, 56 members by proportional representation and 3 observer members representing the Maronite, Latin and Armenian minorities...
; since May 2006, the Representative is Vartkes Mahdessian, a prominent businessman from Nicosia, who was re-elected in May 2011 for a new term in the Cyprus House of Representatives
House of Representatives of Cyprus
The House of Representatives is the parliament of Cyprus. It has 59 members elected for a five year term, 56 members by proportional representation and 3 observer members representing the Maronite, Latin and Armenian minorities...
. The religious leader of the community, since August 1997, is Catholicosal Vicar Varoujan Hergelian, accountable to the Catholicos of Cilicia.
History
Byzantine Era: There is a long link between the Armenians and Cyprus, possibly dating back to the 5th century BC. However, Armenians have had a continuous documented presence in Cyprus since 578 AD: during his campaign against the Persian King Chosroes I, General Maurice the CappadocianMaurice (emperor)
Maurice was Byzantine Emperor from 582 to 602.A prominent general in his youth, Maurice fought with success against the Sassanid Persians...
captured 10.090 Armenians as prisoners in Arzanene (Aghdznik), of whom about 3.350 were transferred to Cyprus. Judging by the strategic position of the colonies they established (Armenokhori, Arminou
Arminou
Arminou is a village in the Paphos District of Cyprus, located 5 km north of Salamiou....
, Kornokipos
Kornokipos
Kornokipos is a village in the Famagusta District in Cyprus, located on the south eastern side of the Kyrenia Mountains. The village name is thought to mean "Beautiful Garden" in one of ancient languages used in Cyprus. It is historically an exclusively Turkish Cypriot settlement and remains so...
, Patriki
Patriki
Patriki is a village in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, located on the Karpas Peninsula.Patriki is the ancestral home of singer George Michael . His father, Kyriacos Panayiotou, was born here in 1935 and lived in the village working with family until 1953 when he left for England.The village...
, Platani
Platani, Cyprus
Platani is a village in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, located 9 km north of Lefkoniko....
, Spathariko
Spathariko
Spathariko is a village in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, located north of Famagusta....
and perhaps Mousere
Mousere
Mousere is a Greek Cypriot abandoned village in the Paphos District of Cyprus, located 5 km northeast of Archimandrita. In 1960 the village had a population of 69 people. Mousere has 2 churches and 10 standing houses. The main church is dedicated to Timios Prodromos and the second to Ayia...
), it is very likely that these Armenians served Byzantium
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
as mercenary soldiers and frontiersmen.
More Armenians arrived during the reign of Armenian-descended Emperor Heraclius
Heraclius
Heraclius was Byzantine Emperor from 610 to 641.He was responsible for introducing Greek as the empire's official language. His rise to power began in 608, when he and his father, Heraclius the Elder, the exarch of Africa, successfully led a revolt against the unpopular usurper Phocas.Heraclius'...
(610–641) for political reasons, during the time of Catholicos Hovhannes Odznetsi (717–728) for commercial reasons and after the liberation of Cyprus from the Arab raids by patrician Niketas Chalkoutzes (965) for military reasons. In the mid-Byzantine period, Armenian generals and governors served in Cyprus, like Alexius, Basil, Vahram
Vakram
Vakram was the Byzantine governor of Cyprus in 965. He was of Armenian origin.-Sources:*Sanjian, Avedis K., The Armenian Communities in Syria under Ottoman Dominion p. 161...
and Levon (910–911), who undertook the construction of Saint Lazarus' basilica in Larnaca. The numerous Armenians required an analogous spiritual pastorate, and so in 973 Catholicos Khatchig I
Khachig I of Armenia
Catholicos Khachig I was the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church between 973 and 992.After a one year vacancy due to a confusing period where there were two rival Catholicoi, King Ashot III "the Merciful" called an assembly to pick a new Catholicos...
established the Armenian Bishopric in Nicosia. Relations between Cyprus and the Armenians became more intense when the Kingdom of Cilicia
Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia
The Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia , also known as the Cilician Armenia, Kingdom of Cilician Armenia or New Armenia, was an independent principality formed during the High Middle Ages by Armenian refugees fleeing the Seljuk invasion of Armenia...
was established. The Kingdom, on the coast of Cilicia, to the north of the island, was established at around 1080 AD by Armenian refugees who fled the Seljuk
Great Seljuq Empire
The Great Seljuq Empire was a medieval Persianate, Turko-Persian Sunni Muslim empire, originating from the Qynyq branch of Oghuz Turks. The Seljuq Empire controlled a vast area stretching from the Hindu Kush to eastern Anatolia and from Central Asia to the Persian Gulf...
invasion to the north and remained an ally of Byzantium
Byzantium
Byzantium was an ancient Greek city, founded by Greek colonists from Megara in 667 BC and named after their king Byzas . The name Byzantium is a Latinization of the original name Byzantion...
. Between 1136–1138, Emperor John II Comnenus moved the entire population of the Armenian city of Tell Hamdun to Cyprus. After Isaac Comnenus’
Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus
Isaac Komnenos or Comnenus , was the ruler of Cyprus from 1184 to 1191, before Richard I's conquest during the Third Crusade.-Family:He was a minor member of the Komnenos family. He was son of an unnamed Doukas Kamateros and Irene Komnene...
wedding to the daughter of the Armenian prince Thoros II in 1185, Armenian nobles and warriors came with him to Cyprus, many of whom defended the island against Richard the Lionheart (1191) and the Knights Templar
Knights Templar
The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon , commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders...
(1192).
Latin Era: After the purchase of Cyprus by titular Frankish King of Jerusalem Guy de Lusignan in 1192, a massive immigration of Armenians and other peoples from Western Europe, Cilicia and the Levant took place. To these bourgeois, noblemen, knights and warriors fiefs, manors and privileges were bounteously granted. Because of their proximity, their commercial ties and a series of royal and nobility marriages, the Kingdoms of Cyprus and Cilicia became inextricably linked. Thousands of Cilician Armenians sought refuge in Cyprus fleeing the Muslim hordes and attacks: the Fall of Jerusalem (1267), the Fall of Acre (1291), the attack of the Saracens (1322), the Mameluke
Mamluk
A Mamluk was a soldier of slave origin, who were predominantly Cumans/Kipchaks The "mamluk phenomenon", as David Ayalon dubbed the creation of the specific warrior...
attacks (1335 and 1346) and the Ottoman occupation (1403 and 1421).
The Fall of Sis
Sis (Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia)
-History:See also Kozan, AdanaFrom 3000 BC onwards there were Hittite settlements in all these plains behind the Mediterranean coast, based on farming and grazing animals. The area then changed hands many times, eventually becoming Flavias or Flaviopolis in the former Roman province of Cilicia...
in April 1375 put an end to the Kingdom of Cilicia; its last King, Levon V, was granted safe passage to Cyprus and died in exile in Paris in 1393, after calling in vain for another Crusade. In 1396, his title and privileges were transferred to his cousin, King James I de Lusignan
James I of Cyprus
James I of Cyprus was Regent of Cyprus for his infant nephew Peter from 1369. When Peter died in 1382, James became King of Cyprus that year...
, in the Saint Sophia cathedral
Selimiye Mosque (Nicosia)
Selimiye Mosque or Agia Sofia Cathedral, formerly Cathédrale Sainte Sophie, is located in the Turkish controlled northern part of the walled city of Nicosia. It is the main mosque in the city. It is housed in the largest and oldest surviving gothic church in Cyprus possibly constructed on the site...
; subsequently, the royal crest of the Lusignan dynasty also bore the lion of Armenia. Thus ended the last fully independent Armenian entity of the Middle Ages after nearly three centuries of sovereignty and bloom. The title was then held through the centuries down to the modern day by the House of Savoy
House of Savoy
The House of Savoy was formed in the early 11th century in the historical Savoy region. Through gradual expansion, it grew from ruling a small county in that region to eventually rule the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 until the end of World War II, king of Croatia and King of Armenia...
, through the marriage of Queen Charlotte of Cyprus
Charlotte of Cyprus
Charlotte , was Queen of Cyprus and Princess of Antioch, as well as titular Queen of Jerusalem and Armenia.She was the eldest and only surviving daughter of King John II of Cyprus and Helena Palaiologina. At the age of 14, she succeeded to the Cypriot throne upon the death of her father in 1458...
to Louis of Savoy
Louis of Savoy, Count of Geneva
Louis of Savoy was King of Cyprus, reigning together with and in the right of his wife, Queen Charlotte of Cyprus. He was the second son and namesake of Louis, Duke of Savoy, and his wife Anne of Lusignan, daughter of King Janus of Cyprus...
. Although the Egyptian Mamelukes had taken over Cilicia, they were unable to maintain their hold on it; Turkic tribes eventually made their way to the region and established themselves there, leading to the conquest of Cilicia by Tamerlane. As a result, 30.000 Armenians left Cilicia in 1403 and settled in Cyprus, which continued to be ruled by the Lusignan dynasty until 1489.
During the Frankish and the Venetian Eras (1192–1489 & 1489–1570), there were Armenian churches in Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, Famagusta
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...
, Spathariko
Spathariko
Spathariko is a village in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, located north of Famagusta....
, Kornokipos
Kornokipos
Kornokipos is a village in the Famagusta District in Cyprus, located on the south eastern side of the Kyrenia Mountains. The village name is thought to mean "Beautiful Garden" in one of ancient languages used in Cyprus. It is historically an exclusively Turkish Cypriot settlement and remains so...
, Platani
Platani, Cyprus
Platani is a village in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, located 9 km north of Lefkoniko....
, Piscopia
Bellapais
Bellapais is a small village in the Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus, about four miles from the town of Kyrenia. The village was the home for some years of Lawrence Durrell, who wrote about life in Cyprus in his book Bitter Lemons. He mentions passing the time drinking coffee under the Tree of...
and elsewhere, while Armenian was one of the official languages of Cyprus. The Armenians of Nicosia had their Prelature and used to live in their own quarter, called Armenia or Armenoyitonia. In Famagusta, a Bishopric was established in the 12th century and Armenians lived around the Syrian quarter. Historical documents suggest the presence of an important monastic and theological centre there, at which Saint Nerses Lampronatsi (1153–1198) is said to have studied; of the three Armenian churches of walled Famagusta, only Ganchvor
Ganchvor monastery
Ganchvor Sourp Asdvadzadzin is the Armenian Apostolic church in Famagusta, Cyprus.- History :The church is located in the north-west side of the walled city of Famagusta, opposite the Carmelite church. It is a fortress-like building built in 1346 by Armenian refugees from Cilicia...
survives, built in 1346. By 1425 the renowned Magaravank
Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Pentadhaktylos range in the Republic of Cyprus. As a result of Cyprus dispute and the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974, the site presently falls within the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Magaravank stands...
- originally the Coptic monastery of Saint Makarios
Saint Macarius
Saint Macarius may refer to:* Macarius of Egypt, also known as "Macarius the Great" or "Macarius the Elder" 4th century Egyptian monk* Macarius of Alexandria Saint Macarius may refer to:* Macarius of Egypt, also known as "Macarius the Great" or "Macarius the Elder" 4th century Egyptian monk*...
near Halevga (Pentadhaktylos region) - was given to the Armenians, while sometime before 1504 the Benedictine nunnery of Notre Dame de Tyre
Notre Dame de Tyre
Notre Dame de Tyre is a 14th century monastery in Nicosia, Cyprus.The existing building is gothic in style and consists of a square nave, with a semi-octagonal apse, cross vaults an arch covering the western part, a bell tower and convent buildings to the north of the church...
(Sourp Asdvadzadzin) in walled Nicosia came under Armenian possession. During the Latin Era, there was also a small number of Armenian Catholics in Cyprus.
Ottoman Era: During the occupation of the island by the Ottomans (1570–1571)
Ottoman–Venetian War (1570–1573)
The Fourth Ottoman–Venetian War, also known as the War of Cyprus was fought between 1570–1573. It was waged between the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Venice, the latter joined by the Holy League, a coalition of Christian states formed under the auspices of the Pope, which included Spain , the...
, about 40.000 Ottoman Armenian craftsmen were recruited. Many of the ones who survived the conquest settled mainly in Nicosia, while the Armenian Prelature was recognised as an Ethnarchy (Azkayin Ishkhanoutiun), via the millet
Millet (Ottoman Empire)
Millet is a term for the confessional communities in the Ottoman Empire. It refers to the separate legal courts pertaining to "personal law" under which communities were allowed to rule themselves under their own system...
institution. The Bishopric in Famagusta was abolished, as the entire walled city became forbidden for non-Muslims until the early years of the British Era. Gifted with the acumen of industry, Armenians practised lucrative professions and in the beginning of the 17th century Persian Armenians
Armenians in Iran
Iranian-Armenians , sometimes called Persian-Armenians, are Iranian citizens of Armenian origin. Their number is about 100,000. However, recent estimates put the numbers between 40,000-80,000 due to emigration. They mostly live in Tehran and Jolfa district, Isfahan...
settled in Cyprus as silk traders, as did some affluent Ottoman-Armenian
Armenians in the Ottoman Empire
Armenians in the Ottoman Empire or Ottoman Armenians were ethnic Armenian people of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Catholic Church or the Armenian Protestant Church who lived in the Ottoman Empire...
families in the 18th and 19th century. However, with the new order of things, the number of Armenians dramatically declined due to the onerous taxation and the harshness of the Ottoman administration, compelling many Christians to become Linobambaki (Crypto-Christians) or to embrace Islam, which explains why former Armenian villages (Armenokhori, Artemi
Artemi
Artemi is a small village in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, located 9 km north of Lefkoniko on the south side of the Kyrenia mountain range....
, Ayios Iakovos
Ayios Iakovos
Ayios Iakovos is a village in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, located 9 km northwest of Trikomo....
, Ayios Khariton
Ayios Khariton
Ayios Chariton is a small village in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, located 10 km north of Marathovounos on the south side of the Kyrenia mountain range....
, Kornokipos
Kornokipos
Kornokipos is a village in the Famagusta District in Cyprus, located on the south eastern side of the Kyrenia Mountains. The village name is thought to mean "Beautiful Garden" in one of ancient languages used in Cyprus. It is historically an exclusively Turkish Cypriot settlement and remains so...
, Melounda and Platani
Platani, Cyprus
Platani is a village in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, located 9 km north of Lefkoniko....
) were inhabited by “Turkish-Cypriots
Turkish Cypriots
Turkish Cypriots are the ethnic Turks and members of the Turkish-speaking ethnolinguistic community of the Eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The term is used to refer explicitly to the indigenous Turkish Cypriots, whose Ottoman Turkish forbears colonised the island in 1571...
” at the end of the 19th century; a few Armenians-Cypriots became Catholics through marriage with affluent Latin families.
Gradually, after the bloody 1821 events, some improvements were observed during the Tanzimat
Tanzimat
The Tanzimât , meaning reorganization of the Ottoman Empire, was a period of reformation that began in 1839 and ended with the First Constitutional Era in 1876. The Tanzimât reform era was characterized by various attempts to modernize the Ottoman Empire, to secure its territorial integrity against...
period (1839–1876), resulting in the participation of the Armenian Bishop in the Administrative Council (meclis idare) and the employment of some Armenians in the civil service. Additionally, the opening of the Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
in 1869 benefited the Armenian and other merchants of the island. Throughout the Ottoman Era (1571–1878), the vast majority of the Armenian population of Cyprus had been Armenian Orthodox, although there is also mention of a small Armenian Catholic community in Larnaca. Of the three religious groups, the Armenians are the only ones to have a continuous presence of Prelates throughout the Osmanian occupation. Based on various estimates, the Armenian-Cypriot community of the 19th century numbered between 150–250 persons, the majority of whom lived in Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, with smaller numbers living in Famagusta
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...
, Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
, the north and south of Nicosia (especially in Dheftera and Kythrea
Kythrea
Kythrea is a village on the island of Cyprus.Kythrea is situated near the ancient kingdom of Chytroi which was founded by Chytros. Chytroi was one of the ten city-kingdoms of Cyprus in antiquity. According to one tradition the name Kythrea came from Chytroi...
) and, naturally, in and near Magaravank
Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Pentadhaktylos range in the Republic of Cyprus. As a result of Cyprus dispute and the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974, the site presently falls within the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Magaravank stands...
.
British Era: With the arrival of the British in July 1878 and their progressive administration, the already prosperous yet small Armenian community of the island was particularly strengthened. Known for their linguistic skills, several Armenians were contracted to Cyprus to work as interpreters and public servants at the consulates and the British administration. The number of Armenians in Cyprus significantly increased following the massive deportations, the horrific massacres and the Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
perpetrated by the Ottomans and the Young Turks
Young Turks
The Young Turks , from French: Les Jeunes Turcs) were a coalition of various groups favouring reformation of the administration of the Ottoman Empire. The movement was against the absolute monarchy of the Ottoman Sultan and favoured a re-installation of the short-lived Kanûn-ı Esâsî constitution...
(1894–1896, 1909 & 1915–1923). Cyprus widely opened its arms to welcome over 10.000 refugees from Cilicia
Cilicia
In antiquity, Cilicia was the south coastal region of Asia Minor, south of the central Anatolian plateau. It existed as a political entity from Hittite times into the Byzantine empire...
, Smyrna
Smyrna
Smyrna was an ancient city located at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Thanks to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The ancient city is located at two sites within modern İzmir, Turkey...
and Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
, who arrived in Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
and all its other harbours, some by chance, others by intent; about 1.500 of them made the island their new home. Industrious, cultivated and progressive, they brought new life into the old community and did not need long to find their feet and establish themselves as people of the arts, letters and sciences, able entrepreneurs and formidable merchants, unsurpassed craftsmen and photographers, as well as pioneering professionals who introduced new crafts, dishes and sweets to the island, thus significantly contributing to Cyprus’ socioeconomic and cultural development.
Law-abiding by nature, Armenian-Cypriots always had a high profile with the British administration and many became conscientious civil servants and disciplined policemen or were employed in the Cyprus Government Railway
Cyprus Government Railway
The Cyprus Government Railway was a narrow gauge railway network that operated in Cyprus from October 1905 to December 1951. With a total length of , there were 39 stations, stops and halts, the most prominent of which served Famagusta, Prastio Mesaoria, Angastina, Trachoni, Nicosia,...
and in Cable and Wireless. Throughout the 1920s–1950s, many worked at the asbestos mines at Amiandos
Pano Amiantos
Pano Amiantos is a village in the Limassol District of Cyprus, located 7 km southwest of Kyperounta. Formerly the village was the site of a large asbestos mine.When the mine closed the enormous workings were left as a blot on the landscape of the Troodos...
and the copper mines at Mavrovouni and Skouriotissa
Skouriotissa
Skouriotissa is a village in the Nicosia District of Cyprus and the site of the former Skourotissa mines. Today the area is largely uninhabited with only 8 people remaining in the village....
, some of whom had been trade unionists. Some Armenian-Cypriots participated in the 1897 Greco-Turkish War
Greco-Turkish War (1897)
The Greco-Turkish War of 1897, also called the Thirty Days' War and known as the Black '97 in Greece, was a war fought between the Kingdom of Greece and Ottoman Empire. Its immediate cause was the question over the status of the Ottoman province of Crete, whose Greek majority long desired union...
, the two World Wars (1914–1918 & 1939–1945) and the EOKA
EOKA
EOKA was an anticolonial, antiimperialist nationalist organisation with the ultimate goal of "The liberation of Cyprus from the British yoke". Although not stated in its initial declaration of existence which was printed and distributed on the 1st of April 1955, EOKA also had a target of achieving...
liberation struggle (1955–1959). Also, the Eastern Legion
French Armenian Legion
The Armenian Legion, established with the French-Armenian Agreement , was a foreign legion unit within French Army. The Armenian legion was established under the goals of the Armenian national liberation movement and was an armed unit besides the Armenian volunteer units and Armenian militia during...
(later called Armenian Legion) was formed and trained between December 1916 and May 1918 in Monarga
Monarga
Monarga is a small village in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, located 7 km northeast of Trikomo....
village, near Boghazi, consisting of over 4.000 Diasporan Armenian volunteers who heroically fought against the Ottoman Empire. Some Armenian refugees arrived from Palestine
Armenians in Israel
The Armenian community has been resident in the Levant for two millennia. After the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and the establishment of the State of Israel, a number of Armenians residing in what had been the British Mandate of Palestine took up Israeli citizenship, whereas other Armenian residents of...
(1947–1949) and Egypt (1956–1957).
The Armenian-Cypriot community prospered throughout the British Era (1878–1960), by establishing associations, choirs, scout groups, sports teams, musical ensembles, churches, cemeteries and schools, including the renowned Melkonian Educational Institute. In many ways unique across the whole Armenian Diaspora, it was built just outside Nicosia between 1924–1926, after the generous and benevolent donation of the Egyptian-Armenian tobacco trading brothers Krikor and Garabed Melkonian, initially in order to shelter and educate 500 orphans of the Genocide, who planted the trees in front of the school in memory of their slaughtered relatives. From an orphanage (1926–1940), it gradually became a world-renowned secondary school with a boarding section (1934–2005).
Examining the population censuses of the British Era (see Demography section), we observe a fluctuation in the number of Armenians in Cyprus, ranging from 201 in 1881 to 4.549 in 1956. In their vast majority they were Armenian Apostolic, but there were also a small number of Armenian Catholics and Armenian Protestants. In the 1960 population census, 3.628 Armenians were recorded - in contrast to 4.549 in 1956 - as about 900 Armenian-Cypriots had emigrated to Great Britain
Armenians in the United Kingdom
There has been sporadic emigration from Armenia to the UK since the 18th century, with the biggest influx coming after the Second World War. The majority are based in the major cities of London and Manchester...
and elsewhere, due to the emergency situation caused by the EOKA liberation struggle (1955–1959) and the uncertainty that some felt with the departure of the British, whom they viewed as their protectors. In fact, a large portion of British-Armenians
Armenians in the United Kingdom
There has been sporadic emigration from Armenia to the UK since the 18th century, with the biggest influx coming after the Second World War. The majority are based in the major cities of London and Manchester...
hail from Cyprus.
Independence Era: The 1960 Independence brought a new era for the Armenians of Cyprus, who were recognised as a "religious group" and were now represented by an elected Representative. However, their number was further reduced because of the emigration of about 600 Armenian-Cypriots to Soviet Armenia, as part of the Panarmenian movement for "repatriation" during the 1962–1964 period (nerkaght). During the 1963–1964 inter-communal troubles, the Armenian-Cypriot community suffered major losses, as the Armenian quarter of Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
was captured by extremist Turkish-Cypriots: taken were the Prelature building, the Sourp Asdvadzadzin church
Notre Dame de Tyre
Notre Dame de Tyre is a 14th century monastery in Nicosia, Cyprus.The existing building is gothic in style and consists of a square nave, with a semi-octagonal apse, cross vaults an arch covering the western part, a bell tower and convent buildings to the north of the church...
, the Melikian-Ouzounian school, the Genocide Monument, the Armenian Club, AYMA and AGBU and the Armenian Evangelical church; also taken was the Ganchvor church
Ganchvor monastery
Ganchvor Sourp Asdvadzadzin is the Armenian Apostolic church in Famagusta, Cyprus.- History :The church is located in the north-west side of the walled city of Famagusta, opposite the Carmelite church. It is a fortress-like building built in 1346 by Armenian refugees from Cilicia...
in Famagusta
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...
. In total, 231 Armenian-Cypriot families became victims to the Turks. As a result, many Armenian-Cypriots left for Great Britain
Armenians in the United Kingdom
There has been sporadic emigration from Armenia to the UK since the 18th century, with the biggest influx coming after the Second World War. The majority are based in the major cities of London and Manchester...
, Canada, Australia and the United States. After the 1974 Turkish invasion
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
, the Armenian-Cypriot community suffered additional losses: about 4–5 families living in Kyrenia
Kyrenia
Kyrenia is a town on the northern coast of Cyprus, noted for its historic harbour and castle. Internationally recognised as part of the Republic of Cyprus, Kyrenia has been under Turkish control since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974...
, 30 families in Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
and 40–45 families in Famagusta
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...
became refugees, while an Armenian-Cypriot lady has been missing since then; the renowned Magaravank
Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Pentadhaktylos range in the Republic of Cyprus. As a result of Cyprus dispute and the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974, the site presently falls within the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Magaravank stands...
monastery in Pentadhaktylos was taken by the Turkish troops, the Melkonian boys' building was bombed by the Turkish Air Force, while the Ayios Dhometios cemetery fell within the buffer zone. As a result, some Armenian-Cypriots emigrated, mainly to Great Britain
Armenians in the United Kingdom
There has been sporadic emigration from Armenia to the UK since the 18th century, with the biggest influx coming after the Second World War. The majority are based in the major cities of London and Manchester...
.
Despite its losses and with the unfailing support of the government, the small yet industrious Armenian community of Cyprus continued to prosper in the remaining urban areas, contributing culturally and socioeconomically to the development of our homeland. On 24 April 1975, Cyprus became the first European country (and the second world-wide, after Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
) to recognise the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
with Resolution 36/1975. Over the past decades, the dynamics of the Armenian-Cypriot community have changed with the increased number of marriages with Greek-Cypriots and the arrival over the last 30–35 years of thousands of Armenian political and economic immigrants because of the civil war in Lebanon (1975–1990), the insurgencies in Syria
Islamic uprising in Syria
The Islamic uprising in Syria was a series of revolts and armed insurgency by Sunni Islamists, mainly members of the Muslim Brotherhood from 1976 until 1982. The uprising was aimed against the authority of the Ba'ath Party-controlled government of Syria, in what has been called "long campaign of...
(1976–1982), the Islamic revolution in Iran
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
and the Iran-Iraq war
Iran-Iraq War
The Iran–Iraq War was an armed conflict between the armed forces of Iraq and Iran, lasting from September 1980 to August 1988, making it the longest conventional war of the twentieth century...
(1978–1988), as well as after the big earthquake in Armenia (1988) and the dissolution of the Soviet Union
Dissolution of the Soviet Union
The dissolution of the Soviet Union was the disintegration of the federal political structures and central government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , resulting in the independence of all fifteen republics of the Soviet Union between March 11, 1990 and December 25, 1991...
(1991); some of them have settled permanently in Cyprus. According to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages is a European treaty adopted in 1992 under the auspices of the Council of Europe to protect and promote historical regional and minority languages in Europe...
of the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, the Armenian language
Armenian language
The Armenian language is an Indo-European language spoken by the Armenian people. It is the official language of the Republic of Armenia as well as in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The language is also widely spoken by Armenian communities in the Armenian diaspora...
- the mother tongue of the vast majority of Armenian-Cypriots - was recognised as a minority language of Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
as of 1st December 2002. Today, it is estimated that Armenians living in Cyprus number over 3.500 persons; other than the countries mentioned above, in Cyprus there is also a small number of Armenians coming from Ethiopia
Ethiopian Armenians
There is a small community of Armenians in Ethiopia, primarily in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.-Religion:The Armenian presence in Ethiopia is historic...
, Greece
Armenians in Greece
The Armenians in Greece are Greek citizens of Armenian descent. The Armenian presence in Greece began centuries ago when Armenians, for various reasons, left Armenia and settled in the wider area of Thessaly, Macedonia and Thrace. Traces of Armenians can also be found on the Greek islands of Crete...
, Kuwait
Armenians in Kuwait
The Armenians in Kuwait are people of Armenian descent living in Kuwait. The Armenian population reached its peak of 12,000. But after the Iraqi invasions, the numbers of the Armenians resident in Kuwait greatly diminished to just 500 as they left the country....
, Turkey
Armenians in Turkey
Armenians in Turkey have an estimated population of 40,000 to 70,000 . Most are concentrated around Istanbul. The Armenians support their own newspapers and schools...
and the United Kingdom
Armenians in the United Kingdom
There has been sporadic emigration from Armenia to the UK since the 18th century, with the biggest influx coming after the Second World War. The majority are based in the major cities of London and Manchester...
.
Demography
It appears that during the very first years of the Ottoman Era (1570–1878), about 20.000 Armenians used to live in Cyprus. Their number, however, rapidly declined, due to the harshness and the oppression of the regime, as well as the onerous taxation. During the middle of the 19th century, the number of Armenian-Cypriots ranged between 150–200, according to the censuses of the Ottoman Empire, the Armenian Prelature and the estimations of European travellers.The British colonial censuses that took place between 1881 and 1956 provide us with fairly accurate data on the Armenian population of Cyprus. The following numbers are the combined figures of those recorded as Armenian (by religion) and those recorded as speakers of Armenian. In 1881 there were 201 Armenians in Cyprus, who increased to 291 in 1891 and 553 in 1901; the numerical increase was due to the influx of Armenian refugees from the Hamidian massacres
Hamidian massacres
The Hamidian massacres , also referred to as the Armenian Massacres of 1894–1896, refers to the massacring of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire, with estimates of the dead ranging from anywhere between 80,000 to 300,000, and at least 50,000 orphans as a result...
. In 1911 there were 616 Armenians, while in 1921 their number rose to 1.573 and to 3.617 in 1931, as a result of the huge wave of refugees from the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
. In 1935 the Armenian Prelature recorded 3.819 Armenians in Cyprus. In 1946 there were 3.962 Armenians in Cyprus, while in 1956 they numbered 4.549.
The last accurate census of the population of Cyprus with regard to its ethnic breakdown was carried out in 1960; it recorded 3.628 Armenians. In 1978 and 1987 the Armenian Prelature recorded the Armenian population of Cyprus, which was 1.787 and 2.742, respectively. Currently, about 3.500 Armenians live in Cyprus; 65% live in the capital, Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, 20% in Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
, 10% in Limassol
Limassol
Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 . It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.Limassol is the...
and 5% in Paphos
Paphos
Paphos , sometimes referred to as Pafos, is a coastal city in the southwest of Cyprus and the capital of Paphos District. In antiquity, two locations were called Paphos: Old Paphos and New Paphos. The currently inhabited city is New Paphos. It lies on the Mediterranean coast, about west of the...
and some villages. Over 95% of the Armenian population speak Armenian and are Armenian Orthodox (also known as Armenian Apostolic or Gregorian); some 5% belong either to the Armenian Evangelical Church
Armenian Evangelical Church
The Armenian Evangelical Church was established on July 1, 1846 by thirty-seven men and three women in Constantinople.-History:In the 19th century there was intellectual and spiritual awakening in Constantinople. This awakening and enlightenment pushed the reformists to study the Bible...
, the Armenian Catholic Church
Armenian Catholic Church
|- |The Armenian Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church sui juris in union with the other Eastern Rite, Oriental Rite and Latin Rite Catholics who accept the Bishop of Rome as spiritual leader of the Church. It is regulated by Eastern canon law...
, the Latin Church
Latin Church
The Latin Church is the largest particular church within the Catholic Church. It is a particular church not on the level of the local particular churches known as dioceses or eparchies, but on the level of autonomous ritual churches, of which there are 23, the remaining 22 of which are Eastern...
, the Greek Orthodox Church
Greek Orthodox Church
The Greek Orthodox Church is the body of several churches within the larger communion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity sharing a common cultural tradition whose liturgy is also traditionally conducted in Koine Greek, the original language of the New Testament...
, the Anglican Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
or they are Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity. The religion reports worldwide membership of over 7 million adherents involved in evangelism, convention attendance of over 12 million, and annual...
.
The map on the right shows the places of origin of Armenian-Cypriots, according to a survey that Archbishop Bedros Saradjian
Bedros IV of Cilicia
His Holiness Bedros IV Sarajian was Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church for only six months during 1940...
conducted in 1935. According to available information, the about 1.000 refugees from the Hamidian massacres
Hamidian massacres
The Hamidian massacres , also referred to as the Armenian Massacres of 1894–1896, refers to the massacring of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire, with estimates of the dead ranging from anywhere between 80,000 to 300,000, and at least 50,000 orphans as a result...
(1894–1896) mainly originated from Diyarbakir
Diyarbakir
Diyarbakır is one of the largest cities in southeastern Turkey...
, Aintab and Kilis
Kilis
Kilis is a city in south-central Turkey on the border with Syria and capital of Kilis Province.- History and Population :Kilis was part of the vilayet of Aleppo of the Ottoman Empire until the First World War when it was given to Turkey and had a mixed population of Circassians, Turkomans and Arabs...
; only about 100 of them stayed. The next wave of Armenian refugees were the 2.000 who fled the Adana massacre
Adana massacre
The Adana massacre occurred in Adana Province, in the Ottoman Empire, in April 1909. An massacre of Armenian Christians in the city of Adana amidst governmental upheaval resulted in a series of anti-Armenian pogroms throughout the district...
in 1909, most of whom returned to their ancestral homes in Adana
Adana
Adana is a city in southern Turkey and a major agricultural and commercial center. The city is situated on the Seyhan River, 30 kilometres inland from the Mediterranean, in south-central Anatolia...
within the same year.
However, the big wave of refugees - some of whom had come before and returned - were the nearly 9.000 who escaped the massive deportations, the horrific massacres and the Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
perpetrated by the Ottomans and the Young Turks
Young Turks
The Young Turks , from French: Les Jeunes Turcs) were a coalition of various groups favouring reformation of the administration of the Ottoman Empire. The movement was against the absolute monarchy of the Ottoman Sultan and favoured a re-installation of the short-lived Kanûn-ı Esâsî constitution...
; about 1.300 of them decided to stay, while the others eventually made arrangements to settle in other countries. These refugees came mainly from Adana
Adana
Adana is a city in southern Turkey and a major agricultural and commercial center. The city is situated on the Seyhan River, 30 kilometres inland from the Mediterranean, in south-central Anatolia...
and Seleucia
Silifke
-Antiquity:Located a few miles from the mouth of the Calycadnus River, Seleucia was founded by Seleucus I Nicator in the early 3rd century BCE, one of several cities he named after himself. It is probable that there were already towns called Olbia and Hyria and that Seleucus I merely united them...
, while there a significant number of them came from Sis
Kozan
Kozan may refer to:*Kozan, Hiroshima in Japan*Kozan, Adana in Turkey*Kozan, Shaft in Iran*Kozan, a village in Northern Cyprus...
, Marash, Tarsus
Tarsus, Mersin
Tarsus is a historic city in south-central Turkey, 20 km inland from the Mediterranean Sea. It is part of the Adana-Mersin Metropolitan Area, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Turkey with a population of 2.75 million...
, Caesarea
Kayseri
Kayseri is a large and industrialized city in Central Anatolia, Turkey. It is the seat of Kayseri Province. The city of Kayseri, as defined by the boundaries of Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality, is structurally composed of five metropolitan districts, the two core districts of Kocasinan and...
, Hadjin and Aintab; smaller numbers came from the other places noted on the map, alphabetically: Adapazar
Adapazari
Adapazarı is a city in northwestern Turkey and the capital of Sakarya Province. The province itself was originally named Adapazarı as well. Adapazarı is a part of the densely populated region of the country, known as the Marmara Region. As of 2010, the city has a population of 560,876 ...
, Adrianople (Edirne)
Edirne
Edirne is a city in Eastern Thrace, the northwestern part of Turkey, close to the borders with Greece and Bulgaria. Edirne served as the capital city of the Ottoman Empire from 1365 to 1453, before Constantinople became the empire's new capital. At present, Edirne is the capital of the Edirne...
, Afion-Karahisar
Afyonkarahisar
Afyonkarahisar is a city in western Turkey, the capital of Afyon Province. Afyon is in mountainous countryside inland from the Aegean coast, south-west of Ankara along the Akarçay River. Elevation...
, Alexandretta (Iskenderoun), Arapgir, Armash
Armash
Armash is an Assyrian village in Northern Iraq that falls on the main road that connects the cities of Dohuk and Arbil. Armash is a very old village with a fellow Assyrian "sister" village right next to it called Azakh. The inhabitants do not know when the village was founded...
Baghche
Bahçe
Bahçe is a rural district and town of Osmaniye Province in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. It is located in the Nur Mountains area.-Notable natives:* Devlet Bahçeli, politician and chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party -External links:* *...
, Bardizag
Bahçecik, Bilecik
Bahçecik is a town in Bilecik Province in the Marmara region of Turkey....
, Balian Dagh, Biredjik
Birecik
Birecik , also formerly known as Bir and during the Crusades as Bile, is a town and district of Şanlıurfa Province of Turkey, on the River Euphrates....
, Bitlis
Bitlis
Bitlis is a town in eastern Turkey and the capital of Bitlis Province. The town is located at an elevation of 1,400 metres, 15 km from Lake Van, in the steep-sided valley of the Bitlis River, a tributary of the Tigris. The local economy is mainly based on agricultural products which include...
Brusa, Chemishgezek
Çemisgezek
Çemişgezek is a small city and its surrounding district in Tunceli Province of Turkey. The city has a population of 2,819, while whole district has a population of 7.929. The mayor is Metin Levent Yıldız . Most of the people are Sunni, but there is also a Alevi community. Çemişgezek has great...
, Constantinople (Bolis)
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
Dortyol
Dörtyol
Dörtyol is a port city and oil terminus at the head of the Gulf of İskenderun, near the easternmost point of the Mediterranean coast. Dörtyol is located 26 km north of the city of Iskenderun in the province of Hatay in southeastern Turkey.-Geography:...
, Edessa (Urfa)
Sanliurfa
Şanlıurfa, , often simply known as Urfa in daily language , in ancient times Edessa, is a city with 482,323 inhabitants Şanlıurfa, , often simply known as Urfa in daily language (Syriac ܐܘܪܗܝ Urhoy,Armenian Ուռհա Owr'ha, Arabic الرها ar-Ruhā), in ancient times Edessa, is a city with 482,323...
, Erzerum
Erzurum
Erzurum is a city in Turkey. It is the largest city, the capital of Erzurum Province. The city is situated 1757 meters above sea level. Erzurum had a population of 361,235 in the 2000 census. .Erzurum, known as "The Rock" in NATO code, served as NATO's southeastern-most air force post during the...
, Eskishehir
Eskisehir
Eskişehir is a city in northwestern Turkey and the capital of the Eskişehir Province. According to the 2009 census, the population of the city is 631,905. The city is located on the banks of the Porsuk River, 792 m above sea level, where it overlooks the fertile Phrygian Valley. In the nearby...
, Everek
Develi
Develi is a town and district in Kayseri Province in Central Anatolia Region, Turkey.-History:The town's name is reported to derive from Devle Bey, a Seljuk commander of Alp Arslan, , and who was also named Dev Ali , and leader of an Oghuz Turkish clan of the same or of a similar name...
, Ikonion (Konya), Jeyhan
Ceyhan
Ceyhan is a city in southeast Turkey and with 105,000 inhabitants it is the second largest city of Adana Province after the capital Adana. Ceyhan is the transportation hub for Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Russian oil and natural gas. It is situated on the Ceyhan River, from which it takes...
, Kesab, Kharpert, Kutahia
Kütahya
Kütahya is a city in western Turkey with 212,444 inhabitants , lying on the Porsuk river, at 969 metres above sea level. It is the capital of Kütahya Province, inhabited by some 517 804 people...
, Malatia, Mersin
Mersin
-Mersin today:Today, Mersin is a large city spreading out along the coast, with Turkey's second tallest skyscraper , huge hotels, an opera house, expensive real estate near the sea or up in the hills, and many other modern urban...
, Misis, Musa Dagh (Musa Ler)
Musa Dagh
Musa Dagh was the site of resistance by the Armenians during the Armenian Genocide. The denizens of that region were violently expelled from their six villages by the Ottomans in 1915...
, Nicomedia (Izmit)
Nicomedia
Nicomedia was an ancient city in what is now Turkey, founded in 712/11 BC as a Megarian colony and was originally known as Astacus . After being destroyed by Lysimachus, it was rebuilt by Nicomedes I of Bithynia in 264 BC under the name of Nicomedia, and has ever since been one of the most...
, Rhaedestos (Tekirdagh), Sasun, Sebastia (Sivas), Shar, Sivri Hisar
Sivrihisar
Sivrihisar is a town and district of Eskişehir Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. According to 2010 census, population of the district is 23 488 of which 9,817 live in the town of Sivrihisar...
, Smyrna (Izmir)
Smyrna
Smyrna was an ancient city located at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Thanks to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The ancient city is located at two sites within modern İzmir, Turkey...
, Tokat (Evdokia)
Tokat
Tokat is the capital city of Tokat Province of Turkey, at the mid Black Sea region of Anatolia. According to the 2009 census, the city of Tokat has a population of 129,879.-History:Tokat was established in the Hittite era....
, Trepizond, Van
Van, Turkey
Van is a city in southeastern Turkey and the seat of the Kurdish-majority Van Province, and is located on the eastern shore of Lake Van. The city's official population in 2010 was 367,419, but many estimates put this as much higher with a 1996 estimate stating 500,000 and former Mayor Burhan...
, Yerzinga, Yozgat
Yozgat
Yozgat is a city and the capital district of Yozgat province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. According to 2009 census, population of the district is 113,614 of which 73,835 live in the city of Yozgat.-History:...
and Zeitun
Süleymanli
Süleymanlı , Zeitun, Zeytun, Zeytunfimis or Zeytünfimis), is a town in the Kahramanmaraş Province, Turkey.-See also:* Zeitun Resistance by the Armenian militia in this town against the Ottoman Empire, on two occasions – events still highly controversial and seen in different ways in Armenian and...
.
Politics
Marios GaroyianMarios Garoyian
Marios Garoyian is a Cypriot-Armenian politician. He has been President of the Democratic Party since 2006....
(1961– ) is a Cypriot
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
politician of Armenian descent. He has been the President of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Cyprus)
The Democratic Party is a centrist political party in Cyprus, founded in 1976 by Spyros Kyprianou. As it is reported in its founding statement , the Democratic Party proposes to the Cypriot society the political philosophy of "social centrism", which constitutes “a total of attributes and values...
since 2006. After the election of Demetris Christofias
Dimitris Christofias
Dimitris Christofias also Demetris is a left-wing Greek Cypriot politician and the current and sixth President of the Republic of Cyprus. Christofias was the General Secretary of AKEL and is Cyprus's first, and the European Union's first and so far only, communist head of state. He won the 2008...
as President of the Republic of Cyprus in February 2008, Garoyian was elected to the position of the President of the House of Representatives in Cyprus, the second highest political position in Cyprus. He served as House Speaker until June 2011.
Finally, it is important to say that all three major Armenian Diaspora parties are active in Cyprus, especially ARF Dashnaktsoutiun. With regard to clubs, in Nicosia there is AYMA
Ayma
Ayma is a village in Chandpur District in the Chittagong Division of eastern Bangladesh....
, AGBU and Nor Serount. In Larnaca there is the Armenian Club and AGBU, while in Limassol there is LHEM. Nicosia is also the base of the Armenian National Committee of Cyprus, the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society (Hamazkayin), the Armenian Relief Society of Cyprus (HOM) and the Armenian Youth Federation of Cyprus.
There is also the Kalaydjian Foundation (established in 1984), responsible for the Kalaydjian Rest Home for the Elderly, and Arev Benevolent Foundation (established in 2008).
Legal status & Representation
With the Independence of Cyprus, on 16 August 1960, under Article 2 § 3 of the ConstitutionConstitution of Cyprus
The Constitution of Cyprus is a document, ratified on August 16, 1960, that serves as the framework for the Cypriot government. It was drafted after the country won its independence in 1959....
, the Armenians, the Latins
Roman Catholicism in Cyprus
The Roman Catholic Church in Cyprus is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome.There are around 10,000 Catholic faithful in Cyprus, corresponding to just over 1% of the total population...
and the Maronites
Maronites in Cyprus
The Maronites in Cyprus are members of the Maronite Church whose ancestors migrated from the Levant during the Middle Ages. They traditionally speak their own variety of Arabic in addition to Greek...
were recognised as “religious groups”. In the referendum held on 13 November 1960, all three religious groups opted to belong to the co-religious Greek-Cypriot community (as it was expected), something which consequently defined their political options in the game of inter-communal controversy and somewhat affected their relations with the Turkish-Cypriots
Turkish Cypriots
Turkish Cypriots are the ethnic Turks and members of the Turkish-speaking ethnolinguistic community of the Eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The term is used to refer explicitly to the indigenous Turkish Cypriots, whose Ottoman Turkish forbears colonised the island in 1571...
, who in turn viewed them as an extension of the Greek-Cypriot political choices. This is why the religious groups were treated similarly or even worse during the inter-communal troubles (1963–1964) and the brutal and unlawful Turkish invasion
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
(1974).
Article 110 § 3 recognises the administrative autonomy of the religious groups’ Churches, as it was established with the Hatt-ı Hümayun in 1856. According to Article 111, the three Churches retain their powers regarding matters of personal status. Law 95/1989 transferred the jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical courts to the family courts, the configuration of which was defined by Law 87(I)/1994; of the three religious groups, only the Armenians participate in their workings.
In accordance with the provisions of Article 109 of the Constitution
Constitution of Cyprus
The Constitution of Cyprus is a document, ratified on August 16, 1960, that serves as the framework for the Cypriot government. It was drafted after the country won its independence in 1959....
, Armenian-Cypriots were given political representation: as a result of their choice to belong to the Greek-Cypriot community, an Armenian and a Latin participated in the Nicosia members of the Greek Communal Chamber, while a Maronite participated in the Kyrenia members (Colonial Law 6/1960 and Greek Communal Chamber Law 8/1960). The two Communal Chambers, which acted as a Lower Parliament, had jurisdiction over all religious, educational, cultural and other affairs of communal nature (Article 87).
With the secession of the Turkish-Cypriots from the common state in 1963 and the self-dissolution of the Greek Communal Chamber in 1965, it was decided to transfer the executive powers of the Greek Communal Chamber to the newly-formed Ministry of Education and its legislative powers to the House of Representatives
House of Representatives of Cyprus
The House of Representatives is the parliament of Cyprus. It has 59 members elected for a five year term, 56 members by proportional representation and 3 observer members representing the Maronite, Latin and Armenian minorities...
(Law 12/1965). According to the Decision of the Council of Ministers 4.907/29–07–1965, it was decided that the three Representatives would provisionally continue to represent their communities in the House on issues pertaining to the jurisdiction of their Chamber and that the House was to request their opinion before legislating on pertinent matters (Law 12/1965). In order to approximate the tenure of the other MPs, the term of the three Representatives was annually extended (Law 45/1965, Law 49/1966, Law 50/1967, Law 87/1968 and Law 58/1969). The status of the three Representatives’ status in the House of Representatives was confirmed with Law 58/1970 and furthermore specified with Law 38/1976, Law 41/1981 and Law 66(I)/2011. As of 1991, the elections for the three Representatives take place simultaneously and in parallel with the general parliamentary elections and the Representatives’ term is exactly the same with that of the proper MPs (Law 70/1986).
The Representatives act as liaisons between their communities and the state and they are par excellence competent to bring before the state all issues relating to their group. Their participation has a 5-year duration and a consultative character, as although they can express their views on matters relating to their group, they do not have the right to vote. Especially in the case of the Armenians, the Representative delivers a speech about the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
during the plenary session of the House convened on or near the 24th of April each year.
The Representatives enjoy the same privileges as the other MPs (non-liability, immunity, remuneration, tax exemptions etc), they attend the plenary sessions of the House, they participate in the Parliamentary Committee for Education and the Consultative Committee for Private Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture, while as of 1999 they appoint the Elder MP of their group. Although they can express their views on matters relating to their group, they do not have the right to vote. Additionally, the Armenian and the Maronite Representatives consult with the Minister of Education and Culture, in relation to the latter's suggestion to the Council of Ministers regarding the appointment of the Armenian Schools' Committee and the Maronite Schools' Committee (Law 103(I)/1999).
Elections
The first historical elections for the Armenian member of the Greek Communal Chamber took place on 5 August 1960 between Vahram Levonian and Berge Tilbian, who was elected after receiving 60,49% (1364 votes). Between 1965–1970 the term of office for the Armenian, the Maronite and the Latin Representatives was extended by special laws, until Law 58/1970 was enacted, properly including them in the House of Representatives. The second elections were held on 19 July 1970 between Berge Tilbian and Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian, who was elected after receiving 56,30% (590 votes); Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian was re-elected on 3 October 1976, with Aram Kalaydjian as his opponent, after receiving 50,96% (612 votes).The following elections were held on 14 March 1982 between Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian and Aram Kalaydjian, who secured 58.36% (771 votes); Aram Kalaydjian was re-elected on 13 July 1986, with Anna Ashdjian as his opponent, after securing 65,08% (792 votes), and again on 19 May 1991, again winning over Anna Ashdjian and receiving 67,00% (875 votes). Because of his death on 10 September 1995, a by-election took place on 22 October 1995, between Kevork Mahdessian and Bedros Kalaydjian, who won with 60,34% (849 votes). Bedros Kalaydjian was re-elected on 26 May 1996, securing 73,91% (997 votes) against Anna Ashdjian and again on 27 May 2001, receiving 57,13% (857 votes) against Dr. Garabed Khatcho-Kazandjian.
Because of Bedros Kalaydjian's death on 1 September 2005, a by-election was held on 9 October 2005, with Dr. Vahakn Atamyan receiving 52,03% (769 votes) against Dr. Antranik Ashdjian (43,91%) and Parsegh Zartarian (4,12%). The next elections took place on 21 May 2006, with Vartkes Mahdessian receiving 52,60% (899 votes) against Dr. Vahakn Atamyan. The most recent elections were held on 22 May 2006, with Vartkes Mahdessian securing 67,67% (1.105 votes) against Dr. Antranik Ashdjian.
Although not elected, the Armenians in Nicosia also have a mukhtar, appointed by the Ministry of Interior. The first mukhtar was Kasbar Delyfer (1930s–1955), succeeded by Vahe Kouyoumdjian (1955–2009). As of 1 January 2011, the current Armenian mukhtar is Mgo Kouyoumdjian.
Prelature
The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus was established in 973 by Catholicos Khatchig IKhachig I of Armenia
Catholicos Khachig I was the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church between 973 and 992.After a one year vacancy due to a confusing period where there were two rival Catholicoi, King Ashot III "the Merciful" called an assembly to pick a new Catholicos...
and ever since it has maintained a continuous presence on the island. Historically, the Prelature has been under the jurisdiction of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, while today it is the oldest theme that falls under its jurisdiction. In the past, for various reasons, it was at times under the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople
Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople
The Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople , one of the smallest Patriarchates of the Oriental Orthodox Church but one that has exerted a very significant political role and today still exercises a spiritual authority....
(1759–1775, 1800–1812, 1861–1864, 1908–1926), the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem
The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem also known as the Armenian Patriarchate of St. James is located in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem. The Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem remains under the authority of the Catholicos of Armenia and of all Armenians of the Armenian Apostolic Church...
(1775–1800, 1812–1837, 1888–1908), even the Catholicosate of Etchmiadzin
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is the spiritual and administrative headquarters of the worldwide Armenian Apostolic Church and the Pontifical Residence of the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians....
(1864–1888). The Prelate, usually a Catholicosal Vicar General, is as of 1997 Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian. The parish priest in Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
is Fr. Momik Habeshian (since 2000), while the parish priest in Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
and Limassol
Limassol
Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 . It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.Limassol is the...
is Fr. Mashdots Ashkarian (since 1992).
For centuries, the Prelature building was located within the Armenian compound on Victoria street in walled Nicosia; when that area was taken over by Turkish-Cypriot extremists in 1963–1964, the Prelature was temporarily housed on Aram Ouzounian street (1964–1968) and, later on, on Kyriakos Matsis street in Ayios Dhometios (1968–1984). Thanks to the efforts of Bishop Zareh Aznavorian and with the financial aid of the Evangelical Church of Westphalia
Evangelical Church of Westphalia
The Evangelical Church of Westphalia is a Protestant church body in the German state of Northrhine-Westphalia. It's the most important Protestant denomination in Westphalia...
, the new Prelature building was erected in 1983, next to the Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Sourp Asdvadzadzin is the Armenian Apostolic cathedral in Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus.Following the 1963-1964 inter-communal troubles, the Armenian-Cypriot community of Nicosia lost its mediaeval church Notre Dame de Tyre to extremist Turkish-Cypriots. As a result, President Makarios granted them...
church and the Nareg school in Nicosia. It was officially inaugurated on 4 March 1984, during the pastoral visit of Catholicos Karekin II
Karekin I
Karekin I , served as the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church between 1995 and 1999...
. By initiative of Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, in 1998 the basement of the building was renovated and the “Vahram Utidjian” Hall was formed; previously a store room, it became a reality from the proceeds of the auction in 1994 of the art collection that Vahram Utidjian had donated to the Prelature in 1954. It was inaugurated on 3 February 1999 by Catholicos Aram I
Aram I
His Holiness Aram I is the head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and has been Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church since 1995...
; numerous charity, communal and cultural events take place there. The Prelature’s consistory houses a collection of ecclesiastical relics, some of which were previously in the old Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Notre Dame de Tyre
Notre Dame de Tyre is a 14th century monastery in Nicosia, Cyprus.The existing building is gothic in style and consists of a square nave, with a semi-octagonal apse, cross vaults an arch covering the western part, a bell tower and convent buildings to the north of the church...
church or the Magaravank
Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Pentadhaktylos range in the Republic of Cyprus. As a result of Cyprus dispute and the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974, the site presently falls within the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Magaravank stands...
.
The current Charter of the Prelature, first drafted in 1945 and ratified in 1950, consists of 102 articles and, in its present form, applies as of 3 September 2010. The administration is exercised by the Armenian Ethnarchy (Azkayin Ishkhanoutiun) through the Diocesan Council (Temagan Joghov, consisting of the Prelate, two pastors and twelve elected lay persons) and the Administrative Council (Varchagan Joghov, consisting of the Prelate and seven appointed lay persons), currently chaired by Sebouh Tavitian (as of 2007) and John Guevherian (as of 2011), respectively. There are also the local parish committees (taghagan hokapartsoutiunner, one in Nicosia
Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Sourp Asdvadzadzin is the Armenian Apostolic cathedral in Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus.Following the 1963-1964 inter-communal troubles, the Armenian-Cypriot community of Nicosia lost its mediaeval church Notre Dame de Tyre to extremist Turkish-Cypriots. As a result, President Makarios granted them...
, one in Larnaca
Sourp Stepanos
Sourp Stepanos is the Armenian Apostolic church in Larnaca, Cyprus.The church is located in the town centre of Larnaca and was originally built in 1909 as a small chapel in memory of Adana's patron saint, Sourp Stepanos , by Armenian refugees who fled the Adana massacre. Following a fund-raising...
and one in Limassol
Sourp Kevork
Sourp Kevork is the Armenian Apostolic church in Limassol, Cyprus.The church is located near the town centre of Limassol and was built in 1939 on land purchased and donated by Mrs Satenig Soultanian, in memory of her father, Kevork...
), the committee for Christian instruction (Krisdoneagan tasdiaragoutian hantsnakhoump) and the Ladies’ committee (Dignants hantsnakhoump).
Places of worship
Cyprus has five Armenian churchesArmenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
, two in the capital Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
(one under Turkish occupation since 1974) and from one in Limassol
Limassol
Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 . It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.Limassol is the...
, Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
and Famagusta
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...
; the latter has been occupied by the Turks since 1974. There are also three Armenian chapels in the vicinity of Nicosia and one within the Magaravank
Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Pentadhaktylos range in the Republic of Cyprus. As a result of Cyprus dispute and the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974, the site presently falls within the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Magaravank stands...
complex, also under Turkish occupation since 1974.
Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
: The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus and the cathedral of Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Sourp Asdvadzadzin is the Armenian Apostolic cathedral in Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus.Following the 1963-1964 inter-communal troubles, the Armenian-Cypriot community of Nicosia lost its mediaeval church Notre Dame de Tyre to extremist Turkish-Cypriots. As a result, President Makarios granted them...
(Virgin Mary) are located in Strovolos
Strovolos
Strovolos is a municipality of Nicosia. With a population of near 70,000, it is the second biggest municipality of Cyprus, after Limassol, and the biggest municipality of Nicosia...
, Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
. The Prelature building, built in 1983–1984 and inaugurated on 4 March 1984 by Catholicos Karekin II of Cilicia, houses a collection of ecclesiastical relics, as well as the "Vahram Utidjian" Hall, which was inaugurated on 3 February 1999 by Catholicos Aram I
Aram I
His Holiness Aram I is the head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and has been Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church since 1995...
. The hall, previously a store room, became a reality from the proceeds of the auction in 1994 of the art collection that Vahram Utidjian donated to the Prelature in 1954.
The cathedral was built between 1976–1981, next to Nareg Elementary School, and was inaugurated on 22 November 1981 by Catholicos Khoren I
Khoren I
Khoren I Mesrop Paroyan was the Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, from 1963 to 1983.He was preceded by Zareh I...
. In the old Armenian cemetery, near the Ledra Palace
Ledra Palace
The Ledra Palace Hotel is located in central Nicosia, Cyprus, and until 1974 was one of the largest and most glamorous hotels of the capital. The Hotel was built in 1949 and had a de luxe rating. All rooms had hot and cold water, central heating and a telephone. Facilities included a conference,...
hotel, there is the Sourp Boghos
Sourp Boghos
Sourp Boghos is an Armenian Apostolic chapel in Nicosia, Cyprus.The chapel is located in the old Armenian cemetery near the Ledra Palace hotel, very near the town centre of Nicosia and was built in 1892 by the will and testament of Boghos Odadjian, a translator for the British administration of...
(Saint Paul) chapel, built in 1892 by donation of Boghos Odadjian; it was restored between 2008–2009, along with the rest of the cemetery. In the Armenian cemetery near Ayios Dhometios there is the Sourp Haroutiun
Sourp Haroutiun
Sourp Haroutiun is an Armenian Apostolic chapel in Ayios Dhometios, Nicosia, Cyprus.The chapel is located in the second Armenian cemetery to the west of Ayios Dhometios, Nicosia and was built in 1938 by rich businessman Haroutiun Bohdjalian, who was later buried in this cemetery ,.The cemetery has...
(Holy Resurrection) chapel, built in 1938 by donation of Haroutiun Bohdjalian and consecrated in 1949 by Bishop Ghevont Chebeyan. Finally, the Sourp Amenapergitch
Sourp Amenapergitch
Sourp Amenapergitch is an Armenian Apostolic chapel in Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus.The chapel is located within the premises of the Kalaydjian Rest Home for the Elderly in Strovolos, Nicosia, very near the AYMA club and the Sourp Asdvadzadzin church...
(Saviour of All) chapel, was built between 1995–1997, by donation of Aram and Bedros Kalaydjian. It is located in Strovolos
Strovolos
Strovolos is a municipality of Nicosia. With a population of near 70,000, it is the second biggest municipality of Cyprus, after Limassol, and the biggest municipality of Nicosia...
, within the premises of the Kalaydjian Rest Home for the Elderly, and it was inaugurated by Catholicos Aram I
Aram I
His Holiness Aram I is the head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and has been Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church since 1995...
on 16 February 1997.
The old Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Notre Dame de Tyre
Notre Dame de Tyre is a 14th century monastery in Nicosia, Cyprus.The existing building is gothic in style and consists of a square nave, with a semi-octagonal apse, cross vaults an arch covering the western part, a bell tower and convent buildings to the north of the church...
(Virgin Mary) cathedral, today in the Turkish-occupied part of the walled city of Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, also known as Notre Dame de Tyre or Tortosa, was originally a Benedictine Abbey built in 1308, where Armenian-Catholic nuns served. Sometime before 1504 it passed into the hands of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
and it used to be the centre of the Armenian community of Cyprus until it was captured, along with the rest of the Armenian quarter, by Turkish-Cypriot extremists during the 1963–1964 Turkish-Cypriot mutiny and occupied by Turkey during the 1974 Turkish invasion. It was located next to the old Prelature building, the Melikian-Ouzounian school, the Armenian Genocide monument and the Melikian family mansion. Heavily desecrated, its restoration finally started in October 2009 by the UNDP-AID, and it is expected to be completed in early 2012.
There was also a small Armenian Evangelical church, located in the Turkish-occupied part of the walled city of Nicosia, built in 1945–1946 near the Arab Ahmed mosque
Arabahmet Mosque
Arabahmet Mosque is situated in the city of Nicosia in the northern part of Cyprus. It was built in the late 16th century. The Mosque is named after a commander of the 1571 Ottoman army. The mosque is the tombs of some important persons of the past in its garden....
and inaugurated on 23 July 1946. Today it is illegally used as a handicrafts centre.
Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
: The church of Sourp Stepanos
Sourp Stepanos
Sourp Stepanos is the Armenian Apostolic church in Larnaca, Cyprus.The church is located in the town centre of Larnaca and was originally built in 1909 as a small chapel in memory of Adana's patron saint, Sourp Stepanos , by Armenian refugees who fled the Adana massacre. Following a fund-raising...
(Saint Stephen) was built between 1909–1913 in memory of the martyrs of the Adana massacre
Adana massacre
The Adana massacre occurred in Adana Province, in the Ottoman Empire, in April 1909. An massacre of Armenian Christians in the city of Adana amidst governmental upheaval resulted in a series of anti-Armenian pogroms throughout the district...
. It was inaugurated on 20 May 1914 by Senior Archimandrite Serovpe Samvelian and was consecrated on 30 June 1918 by Archbishop Taniel Hagopian.
Limassol
Limassol
Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 . It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.Limassol is the...
: The church of Sourp Kevork
Sourp Kevork
Sourp Kevork is the Armenian Apostolic church in Limassol, Cyprus.The church is located near the town centre of Limassol and was built in 1939 on land purchased and donated by Mrs Satenig Soultanian, in memory of her father, Kevork...
(Saint George) was built between 1939–1940. It was consecrated on 11 April 1948 by Bishop Ghevont Chebeyian.
Famagusta
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...
: The church of Sourp Asdvadzadzin Ganchvor
Ganchvor monastery
Ganchvor Sourp Asdvadzadzin is the Armenian Apostolic church in Famagusta, Cyprus.- History :The church is located in the north-west side of the walled city of Famagusta, opposite the Carmelite church. It is a fortress-like building built in 1346 by Armenian refugees from Cilicia...
(Virgin Mary the Caller), built in 1346, is located in the Turkish-occupied walled city of Famagusta
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...
. Left for more than three and a half centuries unused, because of Ottoman restrictions, it was repaired between 1937–1944 and was officially re-inaugurated on 14 January 1945 by Archimandrite Krikor Bahlavouni (also known as "Topal" Vartabed). Taken by extremist Turkish-Cypriot during the 1963–1964 Turkish-Cypriot mutiny and occupied by Turkey during the 1974 Turkish invasion, it was left at the mercy of nature and vandals.
Halevga: Of great importance is the Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Pentadhaktylos range in the Republic of Cyprus. As a result of Cyprus dispute and the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974, the site presently falls within the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Magaravank stands...
(Saint Makarios) monastery, located in Turkish-occupied Halevga, on the Pentadhaktylos mountain range. The monastery was originally established by Copts circa the year 1000 and it passed into the hands of the Armenians sometime before 1425. It was a renowned place of pilgrimage for Armenians and non-Armenians alike, as well as being a place of recuperation and rest and a way station for Armenian clergymen and pilgrims en route to the Holy Land. A large number of beautiful and invaluable manuscripts were housed there, as was the miracle-working icon of Saint Makarios. The chapel of the monastery, built in 1814 within the Magaravank
Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Pentadhaktylos range in the Republic of Cyprus. As a result of Cyprus dispute and the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974, the site presently falls within the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Magaravank stands...
compound, was completely defaced and desecrated by the Turkish troops, who occupied the monastery in August 1974. Left at the mercy of nature and vandals, today it is in a pitiful state.
Education
Armenians have always placed particular emphasis on education, which - in conjunction with the Church - is the foundation of their national and cultural heritage. As of 1972, Armenian Elementary Schools in Cyprus are called "Nareg", in memory of monk and philosopher Krikor NaregatsiGregory of Narek
Grigor Narekatsi is a canonized saint. He was an Armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher and theologian, born into a family of writers. His father, Khosrov, was an archbishop...
, whose statue was placed in 1991 in front of the Nicosia Nareg school, sculpted by the famous Armenian sculptor Levon Tokmadjian. There is one Nareg school in Nicosia
Nicosia Armenian school
The Armenian school in Nicosia, as of 1972 called "Nareg", after Saint Krikor Naregatsi, is located on 47, Armenia street in Strovolos, Nicosia, between the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus building and the Sourp Asdvadzadzin church...
, one in Larnaca
Larnaca Armenian school
The Armenian school in Larnaca, as of 1972 called "Nareg", after Saint Krikor Naregatsi, is located on 21, Armenian church street in central Larnaca, next to the Sourp Stepanos church. The current building was built between 1993-1995 by the Technical Services of the Ministry of Education and was...
and one in Limassol
Limassol Armenian school
The Armenian school in Limassol, as of 1972 called "Nareg", after Saint Krikor Naregatsi, is located on 16, Vassilis Michaelides street in central Limassol, next to Sourp Kevork church. The current building was built between 2006-2007 by the Technical Services of the Ministry of Education and...
, all under the auspices of the Armenian Schools' Committee. In Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, the Nareg School also operates as a Gymnasium (Junior High School), as of September 2005. As of September 2009, the schools' Headmistress is Vera Tahmazian, while as of November 2009 the 11-member Schools' Committee is headed by Vartan Tashdjian. All three schools are adjacent to the local churches and have about 185 students in total. The education they provide is tri-lingual (Armenian, Greek, English) and their curriculum is equivalent to that provided by the Cypriot public schools, in addition to lessons of Armenian language, history and religion, as well as activities that cultivate Armenianism and Armenology. Their budget is covered entirely by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Cyprus.
Melkonian: The renowned Melkonian Educational Institute was built after the generous and benevolent donation of brothers Krikor and Garabed Melkonian, initially to house about 500 orphans of the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
. Its foundation stone was laid on 15 February 1924 by High Commissioner Sir Malcolm Stevenson
Malcolm Stevenson
Sir Malcolm Stevenson KCMG was a British colonial administrator. He served as the Governor of Cyprus and later as the Governor of the Seychelles.-Biography:...
and it was inaugurated on 13 February 1926 by Archbishop Zaven der Yeghiayian. The grove in front of the school was planted by the first orphans, in memory of their relatives who perished during the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
. The Melkonian evolved from an orphanage (1926–1940) to a renowned secondary school (1934–2005). A unique and unparalleled achievement, it was a beacon of hope and culture for Armenianism and Armenophony across the world, boasting an international membership of Armenian students from all over the world, with 1.828 graduates. Rightly, it was called an ambassador of Cyprus to all over the world. It had a boarding section, a rich library and well-equipped laboratories. Also known as "an island within an island", it had a great educational and cultural impact on the Armenian-Cypriot community. It had a theatre group, a dance group, a choir, a band, a football team, a basketball team, a boys' volleyball team and a girls' volleyball team, as well as the historical 7th Cyprus Scout Group (1932–2006) and the 9th Cyprus Guide Team (1950–2005). It published, amongst others, the famous "Ayk" magazine, the oldest Armenian secondary school magazine (1937–2006). The school was administered by the New York-based AGBU
Armenian General Benevolent Union
The Armenian General Benevolent Union abbreviated as AGBU, is a non-profit Armenian organization. It was established in Cairo, Egypt in 1906...
, according to the contract signed by the benefactor Garabed Melkonian on 28 December 1925. Unfortunately, it was closed down in 2005 because of AGBU's greed masked behind the façade that the school was no longer operating efficiently. Although the litigation was won by AGBU's legal team, there is a permanent ministerial decree (02/03/2007) that characterises 60% of its total area as being of "special architectural, historical and social character and natural beauty".
Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
: Nicosia's first Armenian school was established in 1870 by newly-arrived Archimandrite Vartan Mamigonian and was called "Armenian National School". In 1886 it was repaired by priest Hovhannes Shahinian, who called it "Vartanants Boys' School", while in 1902 Archimandrite Bedros Saradjian
Bedros IV of Cilicia
His Holiness Bedros IV Sarajian was Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church for only six months during 1940...
founded the "Shoushanian Girls' School". In 1921, by the will and testament of wealthy local landowner Artin Bey Melikian, the "Melikian National School" was founded, thus replacing the previous two schools into a co-educational one. In 1938 the "Ouzounian National School" was built, after the donation of successful businessman Dickran Ouzounian; subsequently, the school operated under the name "Melikian-Ouzounian National School". Both of them were taken over by Turkish-Cypriot extremists during the 1963–1964 Turkish-Cypriot mutiny. From February–June 1964, the "Armenian National School" was housed at the Mitsis School for Girls on Makarios Avenue
Makarios Avenue
Makarios Avenue is an avenue in the centre of Nicosia, Cyprus which covers a distance of 2 km. The Street starts from the Junction of Evagoras Avenue until Aglandjia Avenue and is named after the first President of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios III. In Colonial times Makarios Avenue was named...
, while from September 1964–June 1972 it was housed in two pre-fabricated buildings on the grounds of the Melkonian, until it moved to its current premises, built between 1971–1972. The new building was inaugurated on 12 November 1972 by Archbishop Makarios III
Makarios III
Makarios III , born Andreas Christodolou Mouskos , was the archbishop and primate of the autocephalous Cypriot Orthodox Church and the first President of the Republic of Cyprus ....
and Catholicos Khoren I
Khoren I
Khoren I Mesrop Paroyan was the Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, from 1963 to 1983.He was preceded by Zareh I...
.
Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
: Larnaca's Armenian school was originally established in 1909, by donation of Adana Bishop Moushegh Seropian, and was called "Mousheghian National School". It was re-built in 1923 and was called "Armenian National School". A new school was built between 1995–1996 and it was inaugurated on 18 May 1996 by President Glafcos Clerides.
Limassol
Limassol
Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 . It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.Limassol is the...
: Limassol's school was originally established in 1928 as "Armenian National School", but it acquired its own building in 1951, which was expanded in 1954. It was re-built between 2006–2007 and was inaugurated on 5 November 2008 by President Demetris Christofias.
Famagusta
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...
: Famagusta's Armenian school was originally established in late 1927 as "Armenian National School". It operated in various rented houses until 1974, when the city was occupied by the Turks, as it never had its own building.
In the past, an Armenian school also operated in Pano Amiandos
Pano Amiantos
Pano Amiantos is a village in the Limassol District of Cyprus, located 7 km southwest of Kyperounta. Formerly the village was the site of a large asbestos mine.When the mine closed the enormous workings were left as a blot on the landscape of the Troodos...
(1928–1948) and during World War II in the villages of Agros
Agros, Cyprus
Agros is a village built on the Troödos Mountains, in the region of Pitsilia, in southwest Cyprus, which has built amphitheatrically among high mountains at an altitude of 1100 metres with a population of approximately 1,000. Agros is one of the most interesting villages of Cyprus and the...
, Anaphotia
Anafotida
Anaphotia is a village located in the Larnaca District of Cyprus, west of Larnaca. In 1994 the official name of the village became Anafotida , following a decision by the then government of Cyprus to make the names of villages on the island more Greek. However, locally the village is still...
, Lefka
Lefka
Lefka is a town in Northern Cyprus, overlooking Morphou Bay. It is located in the Nicosia District , in the area under Turkish control since the 1974 invasion. In 1997 Lefka had 6,000 inhabitants. The town is the site of the European University of Lefke....
, Ormidhia
Ormidhia
Ormideia , sometimes also rendered Ormidhia is a village in Larnaca District in south-eastern Cyprus. It is one of the three exclaves surrounded by the Eastern Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, a British Overseas Territory administered as a Sovereign Base Area. The others are the...
, Pano Lefkara
Lefkara
Lefkara is a village on the island of Cyprus famous for its lace, known as lefkaritika in and silver handicrafts. The village takes its name from the white of its silica and limestone: Lefkara is derived from a combination of the Greek words "lefka" and "ori" .It is located on the southern...
, Pedhoulas
Pedoulas
Pedoulas is a village in the Nicosia District of Cyprus, located 4 km south of Moutoullas. The town has a famous St. Michael church....
, Pervolia, Prodhromos and Skouriotissa
Skouriotissa
Skouriotissa is a village in the Nicosia District of Cyprus and the site of the former Skourotissa mines. Today the area is largely uninhabited with only 8 people remaining in the village....
.
There was also a small school at the Armenian Monastery
Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Pentadhaktylos range in the Republic of Cyprus. As a result of Cyprus dispute and the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974, the site presently falls within the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Magaravank stands...
in Pentadhaktylos (1897–1914 and 1922–1925), a small Armenian Catholic school in Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
(1921–1923) and a small Armenian Protestant kindergarten in Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
(1900–1905). There were also some short-lived Armenian schools in Larnaca during the early 1920s, as a result of the huge influx of refugees from the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
.
Of particular importance was the "National Educational Orphanage", which was founded by Vahan Kurkjian
Vahan Kurkjian
Vahan M. Kurkjian was an Armenian author, historian, teacher, and community leader.In 1904, in Cairo, he published the Armenian newspaper Loussaper , in the pages of which he and other intellectuals called for a national union for the Armenian people...
(also known as Pagouran), in order to educate orphaned children from the Hamidian massacres
Hamidian massacres
The Hamidian massacres , also referred to as the Armenian Massacres of 1894–1896, refers to the massacring of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire, with estimates of the dead ranging from anywhere between 80,000 to 300,000, and at least 50,000 orphans as a result...
. It operated in Nicosia and, during the summer months, the Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Pentadhaktylos range in the Republic of Cyprus. As a result of Cyprus dispute and the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974, the site presently falls within the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Magaravank stands...
monastery between 1897–1904. Its students later became successful and influential, some in Cyprus, others in the Armenian Diaspora.
Monuments
Despite its small size, the Armenian-Cypriot community has plenty of monuments to show:Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
: The current white marble Armenian Genocide Monument
Armenian Genocide Monument in Nicosia
The Armenian Genocide Monument in Nicosia, Cyprus, is a monument dedicated to the martyrs and the survivors of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923...
was constructed between 1990–1991 by architect and painter John Guevherian and it is located in the courtyard of the new Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Sourp Asdvadzadzin is the Armenian Apostolic cathedral in Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus.Following the 1963-1964 inter-communal troubles, the Armenian-Cypriot community of Nicosia lost its mediaeval church Notre Dame de Tyre to extremist Turkish-Cypriots. As a result, President Makarios granted them...
church in Strovolos
Strovolos
Strovolos is a municipality of Nicosia. With a population of near 70,000, it is the second biggest municipality of Cyprus, after Limassol, and the biggest municipality of Nicosia...
; its black granite cross is the work of Armenian sculptor Levon Tokmadjian. It was unveiled on 24 April 1991. In 1996 some martyrs' remains, brought by members of an Armenian Relief Society
Armenian Relief Society
The Armenian Relief Society, A.R.S or H.O.M , is an independent, non-governmental and non-sectarian organization and NGO, serving the social and educational needs of Armenian communities everywhere, seeking to preserve the cultural identity of the Armenian nation, and, whenever and wherever the...
mission from the Der Zor desert in Syria, were interred within the monument, while more bone remains are kept in the two marble ossuaries, built in 2000 in front of the monument by the Eghoyian and Tembekidjian families.
In front of the Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Sourp Asdvadzadzin
Sourp Asdvadzadzin is the Armenian Apostolic cathedral in Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus.Following the 1963-1964 inter-communal troubles, the Armenian-Cypriot community of Nicosia lost its mediaeval church Notre Dame de Tyre to extremist Turkish-Cypriots. As a result, President Makarios granted them...
church, there is a white marble khachkar
Khachkar
A khachkar or khatchkar is a carved, cross-bearing, memorial stele covered with rosettes and other botanical motifs. Khachkars are characteristic of Medieval Christian Armenian art found in Armenia.-Description:...
, the work of Lebanese-Armenian sculptor Boghos Taslakian (also known as Aghassi), which stands as a "symbol of friendship between Armenians and Greeks of Cyprus", and a bronze bust of Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian, the work of Lebanese-Armenian sculptor Mgrdich Mazmanian. The khachkar was unveiled on 21 October 2001 by Presidential Commissioner Manolis Christophides, while the bust was unveiled on 1 May 2005 by the benefactor, Italian-Armenian
Armenians in Italy
Armenians in Italy covers the Armenians who live in Italy. There are currently 2,500 Armenians in Italy mainly residing in Milan, Rome and Venice....
Aleco Bezigian. In front of the Nareg School there is the sandstone statue of Saint Krikor Naregatsi
Gregory of Narek
Grigor Narekatsi is a canonized saint. He was an Armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher and theologian, born into a family of writers. His father, Khosrov, was an archbishop...
, the work of Armenian sculptor Levon Tokmadjian. It was unveiled on 28 March 1991 by School Committee member Takouhi Ashdjian.
It is worth mentioning the fact that the road in front of the Armenian complex in Strovolos, Nicosia was re-named on 10 December 1979 from Cyclops street to Armenia street, after a decision by Strovolos Improvement Board, as a gesture of solidarity to the brotherly Armenian people. Today, Armenia street is one of the busiest roads of the greater Nicosia area and it is the centre of the traditional march for the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
on 24 April every year.
In 1991, the sandstone bust of Boghos Noubar Pasha
Boghos Nubar
Boghos Nubar also known as Boghos Nubar Pasha was a Chairman of the Armenian National Assembly, liberal, the son of Egyptian Prime Minister Nubar Pasha and the founder, alongside ten other Armenian national movement leaders, of the Armenian General Benevolent Union on April 15, 1905.He was the...
was placed to the side of Nicosia AGBU's entrance, also the work of Armenian sculptor Levon Tokmadjian. On 28 April 2002, a white marble tomb-ossuary containing some martyrs' remains, brought by an Armenian Youth Federation mission from the Der Zor desert in Syria in 2001, was inaugurated by Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian in front of the AYMA
AYMA, Nicosia
AYMA in Nicosia is a cultural and sporting club of the Armenians of Cyprus. A member of the international federation AYMA, it was founded in 1934 in the Armenian quarter of Nicosia, with colours black and white and first president Anania Mahdessian. Today the colours are the colours of the...
premises in Strovolos. There is also a commemorative aluminium plate, located in the Ayp cemetery (near Ledra Palace
Ledra Palace
The Ledra Palace Hotel is located in central Nicosia, Cyprus, and until 1974 was one of the largest and most glamorous hotels of the capital. The Hotel was built in 1949 and had a de luxe rating. All rooms had hot and cold water, central heating and a telephone. Facilities included a conference,...
), which was placed 2010 and contains the names of the 419 people buried there.
Finally, in the old Armenian complex
Notre Dame de Tyre
Notre Dame de Tyre is a 14th century monastery in Nicosia, Cyprus.The existing building is gothic in style and consists of a square nave, with a semi-octagonal apse, cross vaults an arch covering the western part, a bell tower and convent buildings to the north of the church...
on Victoria street (nowadays in the Turkish-occupied Nicosia sector) was located the first Armenian Genocide monument in Cyprus, constructed in 1932 by architect Garo Balian and considered to be the second oldest of its kind in the world. It was inaugurated on 24 April 1932 by Archbishop Bedros Saradjian
Bedros IV of Cilicia
His Holiness Bedros IV Sarajian was Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church for only six months during 1940...
. Unfortunately, it became itself a victim of the Turks during the 1963–1964 Turkish-Cypriot mutiny.
Melkonian: The white marble Benefactors' Mausoleum, with the bronze busts of Garabed and Krikor Melkonian, is located between the twin buildings, the work of French-Armenian
Armenians in France
Armenians in France are ethnic Armenians living within the modern republic of France. Like much of the Armenian Diaspora, most Armenians immigrated to France after the Armenian Genocide of 1915–1923. Others came later, fleeing conflicts in places like Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Iran...
sculptor Leon Mouradoff and French-Armenian
Armenians in France
Armenians in France are ethnic Armenians living within the modern republic of France. Like much of the Armenian Diaspora, most Armenians immigrated to France after the Armenian Genocide of 1915–1923. Others came later, fleeing conflicts in places like Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Iran...
architect Mardiros Altounian. It replaced an older, wooden trellis monument. Its foundation stone was laid on 24 April 1954 by Archbishop Ghevont Chebeyian, who also inaugurated the Mausoleum on 15 January 1956.
Between 1979–1980, artist Sebouh Abcarian constructed the twin sandstone monuments of the Armenian Alphabet and a synthesis resembling Mayr Hayastan
Mother Armenia
Mother Armenia is the female personification of Armenia. Her most visual rendering is a monumental statue in Victory Park overlooking the capital city of Yerevan, Armenia.-History:...
; they were initially placed at the crossroads to the hospital and were inaugurated on 8 May 1981 by AGBU
Armenian General Benevolent Union
The Armenian General Benevolent Union abbreviated as AGBU, is a non-profit Armenian organization. It was established in Cairo, Egypt in 1906...
's President Alec Manougian
Alex Manoogian
Alexander "Alex" Manoogian was an Armenian-American industrial engineer, businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist who had most of his career in Detroit, Michigan. He and his wife Marie donated their home to the city, which uses the Manoogian Mansion as the mayoral residence...
. In 1987 they were placed in their current position, on the twin buildings' sides that face the Benefactors' Mausoleum. Between 1990–1991 Armenian sculptor Levon Tokmadjian sculpted a series of 7 sandstone statues depicting important pillars of Armenian history and letters (Hovhannes Aivazovsky, Hagop Meghabard
Hakob Meghapart
Hakob MeghapartHakob MeghapartHakob MeghapartHakob MeghapartHakob MeghapartHakob MeghapartHakob MeghapartHakob MeghapartHakob Meghapart' onMouseout='HidePop("60430")' href="/topics/Andranik_Toros_Ozanian">General Antranik Ozanian
, Vahan Tekeyan
and Movses Khorenatsi
). Tokmadjian also sculpted the marble bust of Alec Manougian
, placed in front of the new boarding section of the Melkonian.
Larnaca
: The church of Sourp Stepanos
(Saint Stephen) is considered itself to be the oldest monument of the Armenian massacres, built between 1909–1913 with a commemorative inscription on its entrance. It was inaugurated on 20 May 1914 by Senior Archimandrite Serovpe Samvelian and was consecrated on 30 June 1918 by Archbishop Taniel Hagopian.
The Armenian Genocide Memorial
is adjacent to the Larnaca marina, marking the spot where thousands of Armenian Genocide
refugees first set foot in Cyprus. A joined project by the governments of Cyprus and Armenia, it was designed by architect and town planner Angelos Demetriou with the help of the architect Michael Thrassou and sculpted by Greek artist Georgios Kalakallas. Its foundation stone was laid on 24 November 2006 by Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and it was unveiled on 28 May 2008 by Cypriot President Demetris Christofias.
Limassol
: A dark brown tuff
stone khachkar
was placed outside the Sourp Kevork
(Saint George) church in 2008, as a donation from the Arakelyan family. It was unveiled on 28 September 2008 by Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian.
Magaravank
: There are two monuments at Sourp Magar
. The first one is a mortar
obelisk dedicated to Abbot Mekhitar
, his visit there in 1695 and the 200th anniversary of the formation of the Mekhitarist Order
. It was originally erected in 1901, as a pile of stones, by the students of the National Educational Orphanage, ran by Vahan Kurkjian
(Pagouran); it was re-constructed by 4 former students of the Orphanage, with the help of architect Garo Balian, and was unveiled on 8 September 1931 by Archbishop Bedros Saradjian
. The other monument is a stone column, located at the monastery's square and dedicated to the visit of Catholicos Sahag II there in 1933; it was unveiled by himself on 8 September 1933.
In the past, there were also other Armenian monuments in Cyprus: a) a marble plaque at the Acropolis Park in Strovolos (1982–1988), in memory of the 1.500.000 martyrs of the Armenian Genocide
, b) a cement eagle in front of the boys' building of the Melkonian Educational Institute (1980–1997), c) a cement monument in memory of the 40th anniversary of Melkonian's 7th Scout Group (1972–1987) and d) a stone monument in memory of the 45th anniversary of the 7th Scout Group (1977–1987). As noted earlier, from 1901 until 1931 there was a stone monument dedicated to Abbot Mekhitar
at the hill overlooking the Magaravank
, while from 1935 until 1955 there was a wooden mausoleum in memory of the Melkonian brothers. Finally, the Melkonian's watertower (in Armenian: chrampar), although not a monument, was a landmark of the school from the time it was built until the mid–1980s, when it was pulled down due to structural and safety concerns.
The inscription on the left is the oldest known Armenian inscription in Cyprus. Located in Turkish-occupied Nicosia, it marks the entrance of the old Sinanian house, owned by Yevnige Sinanian, who lived there with her sister Eojenie. They inherited it from their parents, Apraham and Sima Sinanian; Apraham (1844–1894) was from Yozgat
, whereas Sima (1859–1929) was an Armenian-Cypriot of unknown surname; there is mention that some of her ancestors perhaps came from Caesarea at an uncertain period. What the dates mean is uncertain, but perhaps 1791 is the year that Sima's family first came to Cyprus.
The tombstone on the right is the oldest known Armenian tombstone in Cyprus. Located in the Ayp cemetery, it is dedicated to the young Sdepan Papazian (1867–1875), the only son (and second of three children) of Negdarine Eramian (1842–1909) and Ohannes Papazian (1832–1896); while Ohannes was born in Yerzinga
, Negdarine was the daughter of Boghos Eramian, an Armenian-Cypriot landowner and once the Head Treasurer from Dheftera.
In both inscriptions, even though the letters used are Armenian, the language is Turkish; the use of the Armenian script
to write Turkish was common amongst Ottoman Armenians, called hayadar Trkeren (Turkish in Armenian letters). In fact, the first Turkish novel
to be published in the Ottoman Empire was Akabi Hikâyesi (Akabi's story), written in 1851 with the Armenian script by Vartan Pasha
.
Nicosia
: There are three Armenian cemeteries in Nicosia
. The Ayp cemetery (near Ledra Palace
hotel) was established probably around 1810, if not earlier. Records of burials kept at the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus start from late 1877; it was used as a burial ground until 1931, when the Pen cemetery was established. Within the cemetery there is the Sourp Boghos
chapel, built in 1892 by the will and testament of Boghos Odadjian. Due to its proximity to the UN Buffer Zone
, the cemetery was somehow neglected from 1963 onwards. Between 2008–2009, the cemetery and its chapel was restored thanks to the initiative and efforts of Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian, who secured a large amount of money for its restoration from the Ministry of Interior. There is also a commemorative aluminium plate, which was placed 2010 and contains the names of the 419 people buried there.
The Pen cemetery was established in 1931 on the west of Ayios Dhometios, near the Nicosia Commonwealth War cemetery, and it was the only Armenian cemetery in use in Nicosia until 1998. In 1938 the Sourp Haroutiun
chapel was built within the cemetery, by the donation of Haroutiun Bohdjalian; it was consecrated in 1949. In 1963 the remains of about 100 people buried in the Ayp cemetery were transferred there, because of the demolition of a small part of the Ayp cemetery. Since the Turkish invasion of 1974, the Pen cemetery is very near the Turkish-occupied areas; as it is located within the UN Buffer Zone
, visits there are allowed only on Sunday noons. A special permit by the UNFICYP
is required for burials there. There are 1615 people buried in this cemetery.
In 1998, the Kim cemetery was established to the south of the road between Lakatamia and Ayii Trimithias. The cemetery has no chapel and administratively belongs in Kato Dheftera. There are 130 people buried in this cemetery.
Larnaca
: The Armenian cemetery in Larnaca
was established in 1897, as a temporary place of repose. It was officially granted to the community in 1923 and was expanded in the early 1930s. It is located next to the Latin cemetery. Amongst the tombs and graves of that cemetery is a common grave for 9 gamavorner (volunteers) of the Armenian Legion
, which was formed and trained in Monarga
, Cyprus, between December 1916 and May 1918. Their names are: Movses Aprahamian, Hagop Bozayian, Hovhannes Hovhannessian, Kaloust Hovhannessian, Parsegh Klendjian, Levon Saradjian, Hovhannes Silahlian, Artin Soghomonian and Khatchig Tchoukourian. Their grave and tombstone were commissioned by the French consulate in Cyprus. There are 630 people buried in this cemetery.
Limassol
: The Armenian cemetery in Limassol
was granted to the community in 1946, but it was not untl 1960 that it started its operation. It is located to the west of the Limassol-Platres road
and it is the start of the Garyllis river linear park. Administratively, it belongs in Kato Polemidhia. There are 145 people buried in this cemetery.
Famagusta
: There was also a small Armenian cemetery in the Turkish-occupied city of Famagusta
, in the Ayios Memnon area. It was established in 1967, but unfortunately it is inaccessible since 1974, as it is located in the fenced area of Varosha. Between 1951–1966, the community in Famagusta used a different place of repose, near Stavros cemetery, which was however given to the Greek community to expand its own cemetery area; that too is located in the fenced area of Varosha. There were 8 people buried in this cemetery.
The following Armenian-Cypriot newspapers and magazines were printed in the past, either in Nicosia or in Larnaca:
The Melkonian Educational Institute published the following media:
Deghatsi: From the old, local Armenian-Cypriots, who were resident in Cyprus before the arrival of the Armenian refugees from the Armenian Genocide
, we could mention the following prominent personalities:
Deceased: The arrival of refugees from the Armenian Genocide
brought new talents and new crafts and arts in Cyprus. Many excelled in their fields, but the following is a short list of internationally-recognised Armenian-Cypriots, who excelled either in Cyprus or abroad:
Living: The descendants of the Armenian Genocide
survivors have also excelled in carious fields. The following is a list of internationally-recognised living Armenian-Cypriots:
Published articles:
Unpublished articles:
Biographies and autobiographies:
Photographic albums (all of them bilingual, in English and Greek):
Andranik Toros Ozanian
Andranik Ozanian , Andranik Toros Ozanian , General Andranik , also as Antranik or Antranig was an Armenian general, political and public activist and freedom fighter, greatly admired as a national hero.-Early Age:Antranik Toros Ozanian was born in the church...
, Vahan Tekeyan
Vahan Tekeyan
Vahan Tekeyan was an Armenian poet and public activist.-Biography:Tekeyan has worked as a newspaper editor in Beirut and Cairo, a teacher, and a social worker....
and Movses Khorenatsi
Movses Khorenatsi
Moses of Chorene, also Moses of Khoren, Moses Chorenensis, or Movses Khorenatsi , or a 7th to 9th century date) was an Armenian historian, and author of the History of Armenia....
). Tokmadjian also sculpted the marble bust of Alec Manougian
Alex Manoogian
Alexander "Alex" Manoogian was an Armenian-American industrial engineer, businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist who had most of his career in Detroit, Michigan. He and his wife Marie donated their home to the city, which uses the Manoogian Mansion as the mayoral residence...
, placed in front of the new boarding section of the Melkonian.
Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
: The church of Sourp Stepanos
Sourp Stepanos
Sourp Stepanos is the Armenian Apostolic church in Larnaca, Cyprus.The church is located in the town centre of Larnaca and was originally built in 1909 as a small chapel in memory of Adana's patron saint, Sourp Stepanos , by Armenian refugees who fled the Adana massacre. Following a fund-raising...
(Saint Stephen) is considered itself to be the oldest monument of the Armenian massacres, built between 1909–1913 with a commemorative inscription on its entrance. It was inaugurated on 20 May 1914 by Senior Archimandrite Serovpe Samvelian and was consecrated on 30 June 1918 by Archbishop Taniel Hagopian.
The Armenian Genocide Memorial
Armenian Genocide Memorial in Larnaca
The Armenian Genocide Memorial in Larnaca, Cyprus, is a monument dedicated to the martyrs and survivors of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923. It is located at Larnaca’s seafront and marks the spot where thousands of Armenian refugees fleeing the atrocities of the Genocide first landed in Cyprus...
is adjacent to the Larnaca marina, marking the spot where thousands of Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
refugees first set foot in Cyprus. A joined project by the governments of Cyprus and Armenia, it was designed by architect and town planner Angelos Demetriou with the help of the architect Michael Thrassou and sculpted by Greek artist Georgios Kalakallas. Its foundation stone was laid on 24 November 2006 by Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and it was unveiled on 28 May 2008 by Cypriot President Demetris Christofias.
Limassol
Limassol
Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 . It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.Limassol is the...
: A dark brown tuff
Tuff
Tuff is a type of rock consisting of consolidated volcanic ash ejected from vents during a volcanic eruption. Tuff is sometimes called tufa, particularly when used as construction material, although tufa also refers to a quite different rock. Rock that contains greater than 50% tuff is considered...
stone khachkar
Khachkar
A khachkar or khatchkar is a carved, cross-bearing, memorial stele covered with rosettes and other botanical motifs. Khachkars are characteristic of Medieval Christian Armenian art found in Armenia.-Description:...
was placed outside the Sourp Kevork
Sourp Kevork
Sourp Kevork is the Armenian Apostolic church in Limassol, Cyprus.The church is located near the town centre of Limassol and was built in 1939 on land purchased and donated by Mrs Satenig Soultanian, in memory of her father, Kevork...
(Saint George) church in 2008, as a donation from the Arakelyan family. It was unveiled on 28 September 2008 by Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian.
Magaravank
Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Pentadhaktylos range in the Republic of Cyprus. As a result of Cyprus dispute and the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974, the site presently falls within the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Magaravank stands...
: There are two monuments at Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Pentadhaktylos range in the Republic of Cyprus. As a result of Cyprus dispute and the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974, the site presently falls within the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Magaravank stands...
. The first one is a mortar
Mortar (masonry)
Mortar is a workable paste used to bind construction blocks together and fill the gaps between them. The blocks may be stone, brick, cinder blocks, etc. Mortar becomes hard when it sets, resulting in a rigid aggregate structure. Modern mortars are typically made from a mixture of sand, a binder...
obelisk dedicated to Abbot Mekhitar
Mekhitar
Mekhitar da Pietro, known as Abbot Mekhitar, also spelled Mkhitar, born Petros Manuk was an Armenian Catholic monk and a prominent scholar and theologian who founded what would become the Mekhitarist...
, his visit there in 1695 and the 200th anniversary of the formation of the Mekhitarist Order
Mechitarists
The Mechitarists , are a congregation of Benedictine monks of the Armenian Catholic Church founded in 1712 by Abbot Mechitar of Sebastia. They are best known for their series of scholarly publications of ancient Armenian versions of otherwise lost ancient Greek texts.-History:Their eponymous...
. It was originally erected in 1901, as a pile of stones, by the students of the National Educational Orphanage, ran by Vahan Kurkjian
Vahan Kurkjian
Vahan M. Kurkjian was an Armenian author, historian, teacher, and community leader.In 1904, in Cairo, he published the Armenian newspaper Loussaper , in the pages of which he and other intellectuals called for a national union for the Armenian people...
(Pagouran); it was re-constructed by 4 former students of the Orphanage, with the help of architect Garo Balian, and was unveiled on 8 September 1931 by Archbishop Bedros Saradjian
Bedros IV of Cilicia
His Holiness Bedros IV Sarajian was Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church for only six months during 1940...
. The other monument is a stone column, located at the monastery's square and dedicated to the visit of Catholicos Sahag II there in 1933; it was unveiled by himself on 8 September 1933.
In the past, there were also other Armenian monuments in Cyprus: a) a marble plaque at the Acropolis Park in Strovolos (1982–1988), in memory of the 1.500.000 martyrs of the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
, b) a cement eagle in front of the boys' building of the Melkonian Educational Institute (1980–1997), c) a cement monument in memory of the 40th anniversary of Melkonian's 7th Scout Group (1972–1987) and d) a stone monument in memory of the 45th anniversary of the 7th Scout Group (1977–1987). As noted earlier, from 1901 until 1931 there was a stone monument dedicated to Abbot Mekhitar
Mekhitar
Mekhitar da Pietro, known as Abbot Mekhitar, also spelled Mkhitar, born Petros Manuk was an Armenian Catholic monk and a prominent scholar and theologian who founded what would become the Mekhitarist...
at the hill overlooking the Magaravank
Sourp Magar
Sourp Magar is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Pentadhaktylos range in the Republic of Cyprus. As a result of Cyprus dispute and the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974, the site presently falls within the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Magaravank stands...
, while from 1935 until 1955 there was a wooden mausoleum in memory of the Melkonian brothers. Finally, the Melkonian's watertower (in Armenian: chrampar), although not a monument, was a landmark of the school from the time it was built until the mid–1980s, when it was pulled down due to structural and safety concerns.
The inscription on the left is the oldest known Armenian inscription in Cyprus. Located in Turkish-occupied Nicosia, it marks the entrance of the old Sinanian house, owned by Yevnige Sinanian, who lived there with her sister Eojenie. They inherited it from their parents, Apraham and Sima Sinanian; Apraham (1844–1894) was from Yozgat
Yozgat
Yozgat is a city and the capital district of Yozgat province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. According to 2009 census, population of the district is 113,614 of which 73,835 live in the city of Yozgat.-History:...
, whereas Sima (1859–1929) was an Armenian-Cypriot of unknown surname; there is mention that some of her ancestors perhaps came from Caesarea at an uncertain period. What the dates mean is uncertain, but perhaps 1791 is the year that Sima's family first came to Cyprus.
The tombstone on the right is the oldest known Armenian tombstone in Cyprus. Located in the Ayp cemetery, it is dedicated to the young Sdepan Papazian (1867–1875), the only son (and second of three children) of Negdarine Eramian (1842–1909) and Ohannes Papazian (1832–1896); while Ohannes was born in Yerzinga
Erzincan
-Trivia:Erzincan has the largest man made of Portrait of Atatürk, located north of the city, 176m×43m. It covers 7,500 square meter. Turkish Army made it 1982, in 29 days by 3,000 soldier, 100 tons of black and white paint was used...
, Negdarine was the daughter of Boghos Eramian, an Armenian-Cypriot landowner and once the Head Treasurer from Dheftera.
In both inscriptions, even though the letters used are Armenian, the language is Turkish; the use of the Armenian script
Armenian alphabet
The Armenian alphabet is an alphabet that has been used to write the Armenian language since the year 405 or 406. It was devised by Saint Mesrop Mashtots, an Armenian linguist and ecclesiastical leader, and contained originally 36 letters. Two more letters, օ and ֆ, were added in the Middle Ages...
to write Turkish was common amongst Ottoman Armenians, called hayadar Trkeren (Turkish in Armenian letters). In fact, the first Turkish novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
to be published in the Ottoman Empire was Akabi Hikâyesi (Akabi's story), written in 1851 with the Armenian script by Vartan Pasha
Vartan Pasha
Vartan Pasha was an Ottoman Armenian statesman, author and journalist of the 19th century, promoted to the rank of "Pasha" after three decades in the service of the state...
.
Cemeteries
Armenian-Cypriots have their own cemeteries:Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
: There are three Armenian cemeteries in Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
. The Ayp cemetery (near Ledra Palace
Ledra Palace
The Ledra Palace Hotel is located in central Nicosia, Cyprus, and until 1974 was one of the largest and most glamorous hotels of the capital. The Hotel was built in 1949 and had a de luxe rating. All rooms had hot and cold water, central heating and a telephone. Facilities included a conference,...
hotel) was established probably around 1810, if not earlier. Records of burials kept at the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus start from late 1877; it was used as a burial ground until 1931, when the Pen cemetery was established. Within the cemetery there is the Sourp Boghos
Sourp Boghos
Sourp Boghos is an Armenian Apostolic chapel in Nicosia, Cyprus.The chapel is located in the old Armenian cemetery near the Ledra Palace hotel, very near the town centre of Nicosia and was built in 1892 by the will and testament of Boghos Odadjian, a translator for the British administration of...
chapel, built in 1892 by the will and testament of Boghos Odadjian. Due to its proximity to the UN Buffer Zone
United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus
The United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus runs for more than along what is known as the Green Line and has an area of . The zone partitions the island of Cyprus into a southern area effectively controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus , and the northern area...
, the cemetery was somehow neglected from 1963 onwards. Between 2008–2009, the cemetery and its chapel was restored thanks to the initiative and efforts of Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian, who secured a large amount of money for its restoration from the Ministry of Interior. There is also a commemorative aluminium plate, which was placed 2010 and contains the names of the 419 people buried there.
The Pen cemetery was established in 1931 on the west of Ayios Dhometios, near the Nicosia Commonwealth War cemetery, and it was the only Armenian cemetery in use in Nicosia until 1998. In 1938 the Sourp Haroutiun
Sourp Haroutiun
Sourp Haroutiun is an Armenian Apostolic chapel in Ayios Dhometios, Nicosia, Cyprus.The chapel is located in the second Armenian cemetery to the west of Ayios Dhometios, Nicosia and was built in 1938 by rich businessman Haroutiun Bohdjalian, who was later buried in this cemetery ,.The cemetery has...
chapel was built within the cemetery, by the donation of Haroutiun Bohdjalian; it was consecrated in 1949. In 1963 the remains of about 100 people buried in the Ayp cemetery were transferred there, because of the demolition of a small part of the Ayp cemetery. Since the Turkish invasion of 1974, the Pen cemetery is very near the Turkish-occupied areas; as it is located within the UN Buffer Zone
United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus
The United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus runs for more than along what is known as the Green Line and has an area of . The zone partitions the island of Cyprus into a southern area effectively controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus , and the northern area...
, visits there are allowed only on Sunday noons. A special permit by the UNFICYP
United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus was established in 1964 to prevent a recurrence of fighting between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and to contribute to the maintenance and restoration of law and order and a return to normal conditions...
is required for burials there. There are 1615 people buried in this cemetery.
In 1998, the Kim cemetery was established to the south of the road between Lakatamia and Ayii Trimithias. The cemetery has no chapel and administratively belongs in Kato Dheftera. There are 130 people buried in this cemetery.
Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
: The Armenian cemetery in Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
was established in 1897, as a temporary place of repose. It was officially granted to the community in 1923 and was expanded in the early 1930s. It is located next to the Latin cemetery. Amongst the tombs and graves of that cemetery is a common grave for 9 gamavorner (volunteers) of the Armenian Legion
French Armenian Legion
The Armenian Legion, established with the French-Armenian Agreement , was a foreign legion unit within French Army. The Armenian legion was established under the goals of the Armenian national liberation movement and was an armed unit besides the Armenian volunteer units and Armenian militia during...
, which was formed and trained in Monarga
Monarga
Monarga is a small village in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, located 7 km northeast of Trikomo....
, Cyprus, between December 1916 and May 1918. Their names are: Movses Aprahamian, Hagop Bozayian, Hovhannes Hovhannessian, Kaloust Hovhannessian, Parsegh Klendjian, Levon Saradjian, Hovhannes Silahlian, Artin Soghomonian and Khatchig Tchoukourian. Their grave and tombstone were commissioned by the French consulate in Cyprus. There are 630 people buried in this cemetery.
Limassol
Limassol
Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 . It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.Limassol is the...
: The Armenian cemetery in Limassol
Limassol Armenian cemetery
The Armenian cemetery of Limassol is located on the western part of the Limassol-Platres road, within the administrative area of Kato Polemidhia. The land was granted to the Armenian-Cypriot community by the colonial government of Cyprus in 1946, but did not become operational until July 1960,...
was granted to the community in 1946, but it was not untl 1960 that it started its operation. It is located to the west of the Limassol-Platres road
B8 road (Cyprus)
The B8 is a main road of Cyprus. It connects the city of Limassol and the Troödos mountainous region. Although it's a very well maintained road, many accidents have occurred on it especially on a big bend near the village of Moniatis locally referred as the "turn of death"...
and it is the start of the Garyllis river linear park. Administratively, it belongs in Kato Polemidhia. There are 145 people buried in this cemetery.
Famagusta
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...
: There was also a small Armenian cemetery in the Turkish-occupied city of Famagusta
Famagusta
Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...
, in the Ayios Memnon area. It was established in 1967, but unfortunately it is inaccessible since 1974, as it is located in the fenced area of Varosha. Between 1951–1966, the community in Famagusta used a different place of repose, near Stavros cemetery, which was however given to the Greek community to expand its own cemetery area; that too is located in the fenced area of Varosha. There were 8 people buried in this cemetery.
Media
Despite its small size, the Armenian-Cypriot community has a long list of newspapers and magazines to show. Currently, there are many printed, electronic and online media:- The Armenian radio programme has been broadcasted since 1953 on CyBCCYBCCYBC may refer to:* Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, Cyprus' public broadcasting service.* The IATA code for Baie-Comeau Airport, in Baie-Comeau, Quebec, Canada....
's second programme (CyBC2). For many years, it was the only Middle Eastern broadcast in Armenian, with audiences from around the Middle East. Initially broadcasted on Sundays only, today it airs every day, between 17:00–18:00. - Artsakank (Echo) was established in 1995 (Artsakank website). It is a monthly newspaper, published by the Azadamard Armenian Youth Centre, with Arto Tavitian as its Editor-in-Chief.
- Azad Tsayn (Free Voice) was established in 2003. It is a monthly newspaper, published by Kevork Zeitountsian, who as of this year is also its Editor-in-Chief; previously, that was Yeran Kouyoumdjian.
- Keghart (Lance), a (bi-)monthly newsletter, was established in 1997 and it is published by the Armenian Prelature in Cyprus thanks to the initiative of Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian.
- Lradou (Newsletter), a tri-monthly newsletter, was established in 2006 and it is published by the Office of the Armenian Representative. Its contents are compiled by the Armenian MP's assistant, Nayiri Mouradian (Lradou website).
- GibrahayerGibrahayerGibrahayer e-magazine , established in September 1999, is an online newsletter circulating every Thursday, reaching over 20.000 weekly subscribers in Cyprus, the Armenian Diaspora, Armenia and Artsakh . The website has over 300.000 visitors...
(Armenian-Cypriots), established in 1999, is a weekly online newsletter circulating every Thursday (Gibrahayer website). The news site has most contents in English, but also carries some Armenian language articles. Its Editor-in-Chief and owner is Simon Aynedjian. In October 2010, the e-magazine won an International Media Award from the Ministry of Diaspora at the All-Armenian Media conference in StepanakertStepanakertStepanakert is the largest city and capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, a de facto independent republic, though is internationally recognized as a part of Azerbaijan...
, the capital of Nagorno-KarabakhNagorno-KarabakhNagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, lying between Lower Karabakh and Zangezur and covering the southeastern range of the Lesser Caucasus mountains...
. - Azad Khosk (Free Speech), established in 2011, is a monthly online magazine in Armenian (Azad Khosk website). Its Editor-in-Chief is Yeran Kouyoumdjian.
The following Armenian-Cypriot newspapers and magazines were printed in the past, either in Nicosia or in Larnaca:
- Kharazan (1900), Azad Gibrahay (1922–1923), Kraser (1923–1925), Arax (1924–1929), Lousarpi (1925–1929), Ovasis (1928–1930), Nshouil (1936–1938), Nor Arax (1945–1948), Artsakank (1952–1959), Henaran (1959–1962), Deghegadou (1973–1995), Gibrahay Deghegadou (1978–1993), Haytoug (1979–1982), Artsakank (1981–1987) and Paros (1997–2003).
The Melkonian Educational Institute published the following media:
- Ayk magazine (1937–1940, 1948–1956, 1959–1964, 1970–1982, 1993–2006), the oldest Armenian secondary school magazine.
- Tsolk newspaper (1968–1991).
- Hayatsk newspaper (1998–2000), which later on became the Hayatsk magazine (2000–2004).
Notable personalities
Armenian-Cypriots have had a significant contribution in all walks of life in Cyprus: entrepreneurs, consuls, diplomats, lawyers, religious personalities, professors, journalists, doctors, musicians, painters, poets, photographers, sports personalities, researchers, scouting/guiding personalities and politicians.Deghatsi: From the old, local Armenian-Cypriots, who were resident in Cyprus before the arrival of the Armenian refugees from the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
, we could mention the following prominent personalities:
- Mikael Assadourian (1837– c. 1890), interpreter and landowner in KythreaKythreaKythrea is a village on the island of Cyprus.Kythrea is situated near the ancient kingdom of Chytroi which was founded by Chytros. Chytroi was one of the ten city-kingdoms of Cyprus in antiquity. According to one tradition the name Kythrea came from Chytroi...
. - Artin Boghos Eramian (c. 1800 – c. 1870), landowner and farmer from Dheftera.
- Boghos Eramian (1840–1918), landowner and farmer from Dheftera and also the Head Treasurer.
- Sdepan Eramian (1880–1937), landowner and farmer from Dheftera.
- Apkar Guvezian (1857–1922), landowner and farmer from Nicosia.
- Aram Kevorkian (1888–1976), Postmaster-General of Cyprus.
- Vahram Levonian (1896–1976), Director of the Department of Water Works, Irrigation and Water Supply and first Director of the Water Board of Nicosia.
- Hayrabed Melikian (1809–1874), landowner and farmer from KythreaKythreaKythrea is a village on the island of Cyprus.Kythrea is situated near the ancient kingdom of Chytroi which was founded by Chytros. Chytroi was one of the ten city-kingdoms of Cyprus in antiquity. According to one tradition the name Kythrea came from Chytroi...
- Artin Bey Melikian (1858–1921), landowner and farmer from KythreaKythreaKythrea is a village on the island of Cyprus.Kythrea is situated near the ancient kingdom of Chytroi which was founded by Chytros. Chytroi was one of the ten city-kingdoms of Cyprus in antiquity. According to one tradition the name Kythrea came from Chytroi...
and the benefactor of the Melikian school. - Dickran Ouzounian (1870–1957), entrepreneur in Nicosia and the benefactor of the Ouzounian school.
- Movses Soultanian (1884–1977), entrepreneur from Nicosia.
- Apisoghom Utidjian (1853–1929), Chief Translator and Interpreter for the British administration.
Deceased: The arrival of refugees from the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
brought new talents and new crafts and arts in Cyprus. Many excelled in their fields, but the following is a short list of internationally-recognised Armenian-Cypriots, who excelled either in Cyprus or abroad:
- Sahag Ayvazian (1929–2003), the Armenian Prelate of Greece from 1958–2003.
- Vahan Bedelian (1894–1990), a renowned musician, conductor and music teacher who thrived in Nicosia, Cyprus.
- Georges der Parthogh (1923–2008), a veteran journalist, the co-founder of the Cyprus WeeklyCyprus WeeklyThe Cyprus Weekly is the top-selling English-language publication in Cyprus, with a circulation exceeding 14,000. It is an independent publication, without any political affiliations and is published every Friday....
newspaper and the father of photojournalism in Cyprus. - Shahe Guebenlian (1920–2007), a militant journalist, once the Editor-in-Chief of the Cyprus MailCyprus MailCyprus Mail is an English language newspaper published in Cyprus. The newspaper is mostly read by foreign nationals and expatriates, particularly from the UK, in Cyprus. It is published daily , and a number of articles are available online...
(1948–1950). From 1953 until his retirement he was a correspondent and, later on, a manager of ReutersReutersReuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
. - Kevork K. Keshishian (1909–1996), a diligent researcher and the author of Cyprus best-selling tourist guide Romantic Cyprus.
- Haigaz Mangoian (1907–1970), a famous photographer and the co-author of the book The island of Cyprus who thrived in Nicosia, Cyprus.
- Manoug Parikian (1920–1987), a top-ranking world-class concert violinist and violin professor in the United Kingdom, with numerous concerts and recordings.
- Khoren ParoyianKhoren IKhoren I Mesrop Paroyan was the Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, from 1963 to 1983.He was preceded by Zareh I...
(1914–1983), the Catholicos of Cilicia from 1963–1983. - Bedros SaradjianBedros IV of CiliciaHis Holiness Bedros IV Sarajian was Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church for only six months during 1940...
(1870–1940), the Catholicos of Cilicia in 1940, Co-adjutor Catholicos of Cilicia from 1936–1940, the Armenian Prelate of Cyprus (1899–1905 and 1921–1940) and the Armenian Prelate of Hadjin (1910–1915). - Shake Varsian (1925–1996), a famous novelist and journalist who thrived in Yerevan, Armenia.
- Vahram Utidjian (1888–1973), a famous art collector and the benefactor of the Martyrs' chapel on the grounds of the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon.
- Edward Voskeritchian (1902–1990), a famous photographer who thrived in Limassol, Cyprus.
Living: The descendants of the Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
survivors have also excelled in carious fields. The following is a list of internationally-recognised living Armenian-Cypriots:
- Sebouh Abcarian, a renowned artist (musician, painter, sculptor), who is the conductor of the KOHAR Symphony Orchestra and ChoirKOHAR Symphony Orchestra and ChoirThe KOHAR Symphony Orchestra & Choir of Gyumri, Armenia.-History:KOHAR was founded in 1997 as an independent musical and cultural institution by the Armenian culture patron Harout Khatchadourian of Lebanon, who along with his brothers, Shahe and Nar Khatchadourian, entirely sustained the...
. He mainly lives in Gyumri, Armenia. - Haroutune Bedelian, a famous concert violinist and currently a violin professor at the University of California, IrvineUniversity of California, IrvineThe University of California, Irvine , founded in 1965, is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, located in Irvine, California, USA...
(UCI) with numerous concerts and recordings. - Levon ChilingirianLevon ChilingirianLevon Chilingirian OBE is a UK-based violinist. The founder of the Chilingirian Quartet, he is also a professor at the Royal College of Music in London and is musical director of Camerata Nordica, a Swedish chamber orchestra...
, a famous violinist, conductor and music professor who thrives in London, United Kingdom. - Sona Gargaloyan, a famous pianist, soprano singer and phonetics professor living in Nicosia, Cyprus.
- Marios GaroyianMarios GaroyianMarios Garoyian is a Cypriot-Armenian politician. He has been President of the Democratic Party since 2006....
, currently the Chairman of the DIKO party and the ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives of CyprusHouse of Representatives of CyprusThe House of Representatives is the parliament of Cyprus. It has 59 members elected for a five year term, 56 members by proportional representation and 3 observer members representing the Maronite, Latin and Armenian minorities...
(2008–2011). - John Guevherian, a famous painter and architect living in Nicosia, Cyprus.
- Diran Gureghian, the Archbishop of Armenians in RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and New Nakhichevan (1976–2001). He continues to be Archbishop for a group of non-Etchmiadzin followers in Moscow, Russia. - Vartkes Kassouni, a long-serving minister of the Armenian Evangelical ChurchArmenian Evangelical ChurchThe Armenian Evangelical Church was established on July 1, 1846 by thirty-seven men and three women in Constantinople.-History:In the 19th century there was intellectual and spiritual awakening in Constantinople. This awakening and enlightenment pushed the reformists to study the Bible...
(1957–present) who lives in California, United States. - Nouritza MatossianNouritza MatossianNouritza Matossian is a British Cypriot writer, actress, broadcaster and human rights activist. She writes on the arts, contemporary music, history and Armenia....
, a famous writer, actress, broadcaster and human rights activist who thrives in London, United Kingdom. - Dr. Akabi Nassibian-Ekmekdjian, former Headmistress of the Melkonian Educational Institute (1985–1988), a historian with a PhD from Oxford and the author of the book "Great Britain and the Armenian Question", who lives in Limassol, Cyprus.
- Benon SevanBenon SevanBenon Vahe Sevan was the head of the United Nations' Oil-for-Food Programme, established in 1996 and charged with preventing Iraq's government from using the proceeds from oil exports for anything but food, medicine and other items to benefit the civilian population.Born into an Armenian-Cypriot...
, once the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations (1992–2005) and the Head of the Oil-for-Food ProgrammeOil-for-Food ProgrammeThe Oil-for-Food Programme , established by the United Nations in 1995 was established with the stated intent to allow Iraq to sell oil on the world market in exchange for food, medicine, and other humanitarian needs for ordinary Iraqi citizens without allowing Iraq to boost its military...
(1996–2005). He lives in Nicosia, Cyprus. - Vartan Tashdjian, former Headmaster of the Nareg Armenian Schools (1975–2001), current Chairman of the Armenian Schools' Committee and a famous painter, poet and writer living in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Timeline
- 578 AD: The first recorded presence of ArmeniansArmeniansArmenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
in CyprusCyprusCyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. - 610–641: Some Armenians arrive during the reign of Armenian-descended Emperor HeracliusHeracliusHeraclius was Byzantine Emperor from 610 to 641.He was responsible for introducing Greek as the empire's official language. His rise to power began in 608, when he and his father, Heraclius the Elder, the exarch of Africa, successfully led a revolt against the unpopular usurper Phocas.Heraclius'...
for political reasons. - 717–728: Some Armenians arrive during the time of Catholicos Hovhannes Odznetsi for commercial reasons.
- 965: More Armenians arrive after the liberation of Cyprus from the Arab raids by patrician Niketas Chalkoutzes for military reasons.
- 973: Catholicos Khatchig IKhachig I of ArmeniaCatholicos Khachig I was the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church between 973 and 992.After a one year vacancy due to a confusing period where there were two rival Catholicoi, King Ashot III "the Merciful" called an assembly to pick a new Catholicos...
establishes the Armenian Prelature in NicosiaNicosiaNicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
. - 1136–1138: Emperor John II ComnenusJohn II KomnenosJohn II Komnenos was Byzantine Emperor from 1118 to 1143. Also known as Kaloïōannēs , he was the eldest son of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos and Irene Doukaina...
moves the entire population of the Armenian city of Tell Hamdun to Cyprus. - 1267: Several Armenians flee to Cyprus after the Fall of Jerusalem.
- 1291: Many Armenians arrive in Cyprus after the Fall of Acre.
- 1322: 30.000 Armenians escape in Cyprus after the Saracen attacks on Cilicia.
- 1335 and 1346: A new wave of Armenian refugees arrives in Cyprus after the Mameluke attacks on CiliciaArmenian Kingdom of CiliciaThe Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia , also known as the Cilician Armenia, Kingdom of Cilician Armenia or New Armenia, was an independent principality formed during the High Middle Ages by Armenian refugees fleeing the Seljuk invasion of Armenia...
. - 1403 and 1421: Thousands of Armenians arrive in Cyprus after the Ottoman conquest of Cilicia.
- 1441: Some Armenians from Cilicia settle in FamagustaFamagustaFamagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is capital of the Famagusta District. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.-Name:...
. - December 1467: After a prolonged drought and a Litany offered by Armenian Archbishop Sarkis, rains immediately fall and the inhabitants of Nicosia rejoice.
- May 1571: The Notre Dame de TyreNotre Dame de TyreNotre Dame de Tyre is a 14th century monastery in Nicosia, Cyprus.The existing building is gothic in style and consists of a square nave, with a semi-octagonal apse, cross vaults an arch covering the western part, a bell tower and convent buildings to the north of the church...
or Tortosa church is officially granted to the Armenians by a firman. - July 1821: Amongst the 470 executions by the Ottomans is the Armenian priest of Nicosia, der Bedros.
- 1860: The belfry of the Virgin Mary churchNotre Dame de TyreNotre Dame de Tyre is a 14th century monastery in Nicosia, Cyprus.The existing building is gothic in style and consists of a square nave, with a semi-octagonal apse, cross vaults an arch covering the western part, a bell tower and convent buildings to the north of the church...
in Nicosia is constructed, by donation of Hapetig Nevrouzian, one of the first in Ottoman Cyprus. - 1894–1896: The Hamidian massacresHamidian massacresThe Hamidian massacres , also referred to as the Armenian Massacres of 1894–1896, refers to the massacring of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire, with estimates of the dead ranging from anywhere between 80,000 to 300,000, and at least 50,000 orphans as a result...
take place in Ottoman Turkey, resulting in 300.000 deaths. - 1909: The Adana massacreAdana massacreThe Adana massacre occurred in Adana Province, in the Ottoman Empire, in April 1909. An massacre of Armenian Christians in the city of Adana amidst governmental upheaval resulted in a series of anti-Armenian pogroms throughout the district...
takes place in the Adana provinceAdana VilayetThe Vilayet of Adana was a vilayet of the Ottoman Empire in the south-east of Asia Minor, which included the ancient Cilicia.At the beginning of the 20th century it reportedly had an area of , while the preliminary results of the first Ottoman census of 1885 gave the population as 402,439...
, resulting in 30.000 deaths. - 1915–1923: OttomansOttoman TurksThe Ottoman Turks were the Turkish-speaking population of the Ottoman Empire who formed the base of the state's military and ruling classes. Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks is scarce, but they take their Turkish name, Osmanlı , from the house of Osman I The Ottoman...
and Young TurksYoung TurksThe Young Turks , from French: Les Jeunes Turcs) were a coalition of various groups favouring reformation of the administration of the Ottoman Empire. The movement was against the absolute monarchy of the Ottoman Sultan and favoured a re-installation of the short-lived Kanûn-ı Esâsî constitution...
perpetrate the Armenian GenocideArmenian GenocideThe Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
, causing over 1.500.000 deaths. - 1916–1918: The Armenian LegionFrench Armenian LegionThe Armenian Legion, established with the French-Armenian Agreement , was a foreign legion unit within French Army. The Armenian legion was established under the goals of the Armenian national liberation movement and was an armed unit besides the Armenian volunteer units and Armenian militia during...
is formed in trained in MonargaMonargaMonarga is a small village in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, located 7 km northeast of Trikomo....
, near BoghaziBogaziBogazi is a village in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, located 7 km northeast of Trikomo....
, consisting of over 4.000 Diasporan Armenians, who later heroically fought the Ottoman Empire. - 30 June 1918: Archbishop Taniel Hagopian consecrates Saint Stephen’s churchSourp StepanosSourp Stepanos is the Armenian Apostolic church in Larnaca, Cyprus.The church is located in the town centre of Larnaca and was originally built in 1909 as a small chapel in memory of Adana's patron saint, Sourp Stepanos , by Armenian refugees who fled the Adana massacre. Following a fund-raising...
in LarnacaLarnacaLarnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
. - 15 February 1924: High Commissioner Sir Malcolm Stevenson lays the foundation stone for the Melkonian Educational Institute.
- 13 February 1926: Archbishop Zaven der Yeghiayian inaugurates the Melkonian Educational Institute.
- 8 September 1931: Catholicos Sahag II unveils the mortar obelisk on top of Mekhitar’s Hill at the MagaravankSourp MagarSourp Magar is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Pentadhaktylos range in the Republic of Cyprus. As a result of Cyprus dispute and the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974, the site presently falls within the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Magaravank stands...
. - 24 April 1932: Archbishop Bedros SaradjianBedros IV of CiliciaHis Holiness Bedros IV Sarajian was Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church for only six months during 1940...
unveils the marble Genocide monument in old Nicosia. - 8 September 1933: Catholicos Sahag II unveils the stone column at the square of the MagaravankSourp MagarSourp Magar is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Pentadhaktylos range in the Republic of Cyprus. As a result of Cyprus dispute and the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974, the site presently falls within the de-facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Magaravank stands...
. - 14 January 1945: Archimandrite Krikor Bahlavouni celebrates the first Liturgy in almost 4 centuries at the Ganchvor churchGanchvor monasteryGanchvor Sourp Asdvadzadzin is the Armenian Apostolic church in Famagusta, Cyprus.- History :The church is located in the north-west side of the walled city of Famagusta, opposite the Carmelite church. It is a fortress-like building built in 1346 by Armenian refugees from Cilicia...
in Famagusta. - 23 June 1946: Official inauguration of Armenian Evangelical church in Nicosia.
- 11 April 1948: Bishop Ghevont Chebeyan consecrates Saint George’s churchSourp KevorkSourp Kevork is the Armenian Apostolic church in Limassol, Cyprus.The church is located near the town centre of Limassol and was built in 1939 on land purchased and donated by Mrs Satenig Soultanian, in memory of her father, Kevork...
in LimassolLimassolLimassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 . It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.Limassol is the...
. - 24 April 1954: Bishop Ghevont Chebeyan lays the foundation stone for the marble Mausoleum of the Melkonian Brothers.
- 15 January 1956: Bishop Ghevont Chebeyan unveils the marble Mausoleum of the Melkonian Brothers.
- 5 August 1960: Berge Tilbian is voted Armenian Representative at the Greek Communal Chamber, securing 60,49% of the votes.
- 16 August 1960: Cyprus gains its Independence; Armenians are recognised as a “religious group” by the Constitution.
- 13 November 1960: Armenians vote in the referendum in favour of joining the Greek-Cypriots community.
- December 1963–March 1964: Intercommunal troubles; extremist Turkish-Cypriots take over the Armenian quarter of Nicosia and the Ganchvor church in Famagusta.
- 19 July 1970: Dr. Antranik Ashdjian is elected Armenian Representative, securing 56,30% of the votes.
- 12 November 1972: Archbishop Makarios IIIMakarios IIIMakarios III , born Andreas Christodolou Mouskos , was the archbishop and primate of the autocephalous Cypriot Orthodox Church and the first President of the Republic of Cyprus ....
and Catholicos Khoren IKhoren IKhoren I Mesrop Paroyan was the Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, from 1963 to 1983.He was preceded by Zareh I...
inaugurate the new Nareg School in NicosiaNicosia Armenian schoolThe Armenian school in Nicosia, as of 1972 called "Nareg", after Saint Krikor Naregatsi, is located on 47, Armenia street in Strovolos, Nicosia, between the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus building and the Sourp Asdvadzadzin church...
. - 24 April 1975: Recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the House of Representatives.
- 25 September 1976: Archbishop Makarios IIIMakarios IIIMakarios III , born Andreas Christodolou Mouskos , was the archbishop and primate of the autocephalous Cypriot Orthodox Church and the first President of the Republic of Cyprus ....
and Bishop Nerses Pakhdigian lay the foundation stone for the new Virgin Mary churchSourp AsdvadzadzinSourp Asdvadzadzin is the Armenian Apostolic cathedral in Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus.Following the 1963-1964 inter-communal troubles, the Armenian-Cypriot community of Nicosia lost its mediaeval church Notre Dame de Tyre to extremist Turkish-Cypriots. As a result, President Makarios granted them...
in Nicosia. - 3 October 1976: Dr. Antranik Ashdjian is re-elected Armenian Representative, securing 50,96% of the votes.
- 10 December 1979: Strovolos Improvement Board re-names Calypso street into Armenia street. The street sign is officially unveiled on 15 January 1980.
- 8 May 1981: AGBU President Alec ManougianAlex ManoogianAlexander "Alex" Manoogian was an Armenian-American industrial engineer, businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist who had most of his career in Detroit, Michigan. He and his wife Marie donated their home to the city, which uses the Manoogian Mansion as the mayoral residence...
unveils the twin monument for the Armenian Alphabet and Mother Armenia at the Melkonian. - 22 November 1981: Catholicos Khoren IKhoren IKhoren I Mesrop Paroyan was the Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, from 1963 to 1983.He was preceded by Zareh I...
and Co-adjutor Catholicos Karekin IIKarekin IKarekin I , served as the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church between 1995 and 1999...
inaugurate and consecrate the new Virgin Mary churchSourp AsdvadzadzinSourp Asdvadzadzin is the Armenian Apostolic cathedral in Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus.Following the 1963-1964 inter-communal troubles, the Armenian-Cypriot community of Nicosia lost its mediaeval church Notre Dame de Tyre to extremist Turkish-Cypriots. As a result, President Makarios granted them...
in Nicosia. - 14 March 1982: Aram Kalaydjian is elected Armenian Representative, securing 58,36% of the votes.
- 4 March 1984: Catholicos Karekin IIKarekin IKarekin I , served as the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church between 1995 and 1999...
inaugurates the new Prelature building. - 13 July 1986: Aram Kalaydjian is re-elected Armenian Representative, securing 65,08% of the votes.
- 24 May 1987: President Spyros KyprianouSpyros KyprianouSpyros Achilleos Kyprianou was one of the most prominent politicians of modern Cyprus. He served as the second President of the Republic of Cyprus from 1977 to 1988....
lays the foundation stone for the new boarding section of the Melkonian. - 30 May 1987: President Spyros KyprianouSpyros KyprianouSpyros Achilleos Kyprianou was one of the most prominent politicians of modern Cyprus. He served as the second President of the Republic of Cyprus from 1977 to 1988....
inaugurates the new AYMAAYMA, NicosiaAYMA in Nicosia is a cultural and sporting club of the Armenians of Cyprus. A member of the international federation AYMA, it was founded in 1934 in the Armenian quarter of Nicosia, with colours black and white and first president Anania Mahdessian. Today the colours are the colours of the...
club. - 1 August 1987: The foundation stone of the Kalaydjian Rest Home for the Elderly is laid.
- 06 March 1988: Minister of Interior Christodoulos Veniamin inaugurates the Kalaydjian Rest Home for the Elderly.
- 21 October 1989: Acting President Vassos LyssaridesVassos LyssaridesVassos Lyssarides is a Cypriot politician who has been a central figure in Cyprus politics since the island's independence.He was born in 1920 in the village of Lefkara. He was educated at the Pancyprian Gymnasium and then studied medicine at the University of Athens...
inaugurates the new boarding section of the Melkonian. - 22 October 1989: AGBU President Alec ManougianAlex ManoogianAlexander "Alex" Manoogian was an Armenian-American industrial engineer, businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist who had most of his career in Detroit, Michigan. He and his wife Marie donated their home to the city, which uses the Manoogian Mansion as the mayoral residence...
inaugurates the new Nicosia AGBU club. - 19 April 1990: The House of Representatives recognises 24 April as National Remembrance Day for the Armenian Genocide.
- 28 March 1991: School Committee member Takouhi Ashdjian unveils the sandstone statue of Saint Gregory of Nareg in Nicosia.
- 24 April 1991: Official unveiling of the Armenian Genocide Monument in NicosiaArmenian Genocide Monument in NicosiaThe Armenian Genocide Monument in Nicosia, Cyprus, is a monument dedicated to the martyrs and the survivors of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923...
. - 19 May 1991: Aram Kalaydjian is re-elected Armenian Representative, securing 67,00% of the votes.
- 22 October 1995: Bedros Kalaydjian is elected Armenian Representative in a by-election, securing 60,34% of the votes.
- 18 May 1996: President Glafcos Clerides inaugurates the new Nareg School in LarnacaLarnaca Armenian schoolThe Armenian school in Larnaca, as of 1972 called "Nareg", after Saint Krikor Naregatsi, is located on 21, Armenian church street in central Larnaca, next to the Sourp Stepanos church. The current building was built between 1993-1995 by the Technical Services of the Ministry of Education and was...
. - 26 May 1996: Bedros Kalaydjian is re-elected Armenian Representative, securing 73,91% of the votes.
- 16 February 1997: Catholicos Aram IAram IHis Holiness Aram I is the head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and has been Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church since 1995...
consecrates the Holy Saviour of All chapelSourp AmenapergitchSourp Amenapergitch is an Armenian Apostolic chapel in Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus.The chapel is located within the premises of the Kalaydjian Rest Home for the Elderly in Strovolos, Nicosia, very near the AYMA club and the Sourp Asdvadzadzin church...
in Nicosia. - 3 February 1999: Catholicos Aram IAram IHis Holiness Aram I is the head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and has been Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church since 1995...
inaugurates the “Vahram Utidjian” Hall. - 23 March 2001: Aglandjia municipality re-names Ephesus street into Melkonian street. The street sign is officially placed on 7 April 2001.
- 27 May 2001: Bedros Kalaydjian is re-elected Armenian Representative, securing 57,13% of the votes.
- 21 October 2001: Presidential Commissioner Manolis Christophides unveils the marble khachkarKhachkarA khachkar or khatchkar is a carved, cross-bearing, memorial stele covered with rosettes and other botanical motifs. Khachkars are characteristic of Medieval Christian Armenian art found in Armenia.-Description:...
(cross-stone) dedicated to the eternal friendship of Armenians and Greeks in Cyprus. - 28 April 2002: Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian unveils the marble tomb-ossuary in front of AYMA.
- 1 December 2002: Armenian is recognised as a minority language in Cyprus.
- 1 May 2005: Donator Aleco Bezigian unveils the bronze bust of Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian in Nicosia.
- 9 October 2005: Dr. Vahakn Atamyan is elected Armenian Representative in a by-election, securing 52,03% of the votes.
- 21 May 2006: Vartkes Mahdessian is elected Armenian Representative, securing 52,60% of the votes.
- 28 June 2006: President Tassos PapadopoulosTassos PapadopoulosTassos Nikolaou Papadopoulos was a Cypriot politician. He served as the fifth President of the Republic of Cyprus from February 28, 2003 to February 28, 2008.His parents were Nicolas and Aggeliki from Assia. He was the first of three children...
inaugurates the new wing of the Kalaydjian Rest Home for the Elderly. - 24 November 2006: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan lays the foundation stone for the Armenian Genocide Memorial in LarnacaArmenian Genocide Memorial in LarnacaThe Armenian Genocide Memorial in Larnaca, Cyprus, is a monument dedicated to the martyrs and survivors of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923. It is located at Larnaca’s seafront and marks the spot where thousands of Armenian refugees fleeing the atrocities of the Genocide first landed in Cyprus...
. - 28 May 2008: President Demetris Christofias unveils the Armenian Genocide Memorial in LarnacaArmenian Genocide Memorial in LarnacaThe Armenian Genocide Memorial in Larnaca, Cyprus, is a monument dedicated to the martyrs and survivors of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923. It is located at Larnaca’s seafront and marks the spot where thousands of Armenian refugees fleeing the atrocities of the Genocide first landed in Cyprus...
. - 28 September 2008: Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian unveils the tuffTuffTuff is a type of rock consisting of consolidated volcanic ash ejected from vents during a volcanic eruption. Tuff is sometimes called tufa, particularly when used as construction material, although tufa also refers to a quite different rock. Rock that contains greater than 50% tuff is considered...
stone khachkar (cross-stone) in Limassol. - 5 November 2008: President Demetris Christofias inaugurates the new Nareg School in LimassolLimassol Armenian schoolThe Armenian school in Limassol, as of 1972 called "Nareg", after Saint Krikor Naregatsi, is located on 16, Vassilis Michaelides street in central Limassol, next to Sourp Kevork church. The current building was built between 2006-2007 by the Technical Services of the Ministry of Education and...
. - 28 February 2010: Representative Vartkes Mahdessian inaugurates new AYMAAYMA, NicosiaAYMA in Nicosia is a cultural and sporting club of the Armenians of Cyprus. A member of the international federation AYMA, it was founded in 1934 in the Armenian quarter of Nicosia, with colours black and white and first president Anania Mahdessian. Today the colours are the colours of the...
hall. - 11 April 2010: Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian re-consecrates the chapel of Saint PaulSourp BoghosSourp Boghos is an Armenian Apostolic chapel in Nicosia, Cyprus.The chapel is located in the old Armenian cemetery near the Ledra Palace hotel, very near the town centre of Nicosia and was built in 1892 by the will and testament of Boghos Odadjian, a translator for the British administration of...
and celebrates the first Liturgy since 1963. - 8 May 2010: Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian and Representative Vartkes Mahdessian inaugurate the renovated functions’ hall next to the Saint George churchSourp KevorkSourp Kevork is the Armenian Apostolic church in Limassol, Cyprus.The church is located near the town centre of Limassol and was built in 1939 on land purchased and donated by Mrs Satenig Soultanian, in memory of her father, Kevork...
in Limassol. - 5 May 2011: President Demetris Christofias inaugurates the new Larnaca AGBU club.
- 17 May 2011: Minister of Education and Culture Dr Andreas Demetriou inaugurates new Nicosia Nareg auditorium.
- 22 May 2011: Vartkes Mahdessian is re-elected as Armenian Representative, securing 67,67% of the votes.
Useful Bibliography
Books:- Բակուրան: Կիպրոս կղզի, Աշխարհագրական եւ պատմական տեսութիւն, Հայ Գաղթականութիւն (Տպատան Ազգային Կրթարան-Որբանոցի, Նիկոսիա: 1903).
- ԲԱԿ: Հայ Կիւրոս, Հայ գաղութը եւ Ս. Մակար (Տպարան Դպրեվանույ Կաթողիկոսութեան Կիլիկիոյ, Անթիլիաս: 1936).
- Ղեւոնդ Եպիսկուոս: Յիշատակարան Կիպրահայ գաղութի (Տպարան Դպրեվանույ Կաթողիկոսութեան Կիլիկիոյ, Անթիլիաս: 1955).
- Susan Paul Pattie: Faith in History, Armenians rebuilding community (Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington: 1997).
- Αρμενική Μητρόπολη Κύπρου: 1700 χρόνια Χριστιανισμού στην Αρμενία (Λευκωσία: 2001).
- Armenian Prelature of Cyprus: Η Αρμενική Εκκλησία στην Κύπρο/Հայաստանեայց Եկեղեցի Կիպրոսի մէջ/The Armenian Church in Cyprus (Nicosia: 2003).
- Հայկաշէն Ուզունեան: Յուշամատեան Մելգոնեան Կրթական Հաստատութեան (Ազգ, Երեւան: 2004).
- Αχιλλέας Κ. Αιμιλιανίδης: Το καθεστώς της Αρμενικής Εκκλησίας της Κύπρου (Power Publishing, Λευκωσία: 2006).
- Sossie Kasbarian: Rooted and Routed: The contemporary Armenian Diaspora in Cyprus and Lebanon (Ph.D., University of London, School of Oriental and African studies, 2006).
- Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra: The Armenians of Cyprus (Kalaydjian Foundation, Larnaca: 2009).
- John Matossian: Silent partners, the Armenians and Cyprus 578–1878 (Lusignan Press, Nicosia: 2009).
- Andrekos Varnava, Nicholas Courea and Marina Elia (Eds): The minorities of Cyprus, development patterns and the identity of the internal-exclusion (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Newcastle: 2009).
- Αλέξανδρος-Μιχαήλ Χατζηλύρας: Οι Αρμένιοι της Κύπρου (Ίδρυμα Καλαϊτζιάν, Λάρνακα: 2009)
- Եղիա Գայայեան: Մելգոնեան Կրթական Հաստատութեան Յուշամատեան (Պէյրութ: 2010).
Published articles:
- Արշակ Ալպօյաճեան: Կիպրոս Կղզին, իր անցեալն ու ներկան [Թէոդիկի Ամէնուն Սարեցոյցը, 21րդ Տարի (1926), էջ. 192–239], Փարիզ: 1927.
- Կարօ Գէորգեան: Պատմութիւն Կիպրոսի եւ Կիպրահայ Գաղութը [Ամենուն Տարեգիրքը, Ը Տարի (1960), էջ. 333–426], Պէյրութ: 1961.
- Greek Communal Chamber: Minorities in Cyprus [Cyprus Today, Vol. II, No. 1 (Jan-Feb 1964), p. 9-20], Nicosia: 1964.
- Costas P. Kyrris: Military Colonies in Cyprus in the Byzantine Period, their Character, Purpose and Extent [Byzantinoslavica, Issue XXXI (1970), p. 158-181], Prague: 1970.
- Noubar Maxoudian: A brief history of the Armenians in Cyprus (1936) [Armenian Review, Vol. XXVII, No. 4 (Winter 1975), p. 398–416], Watertown, Massachusetts: 1975.
- Caesar V. Mavratsas: The Armenians of Cyprus: A Study in Ethnic Identity and Institutions [Travaux de la Maison de l’ Orient Méditerranéen No. 25 (1994), p. 103-109], Lyon: 1996.
- Caesar V. Mavratsas: Armenian Identity and Greek Nationalism in Cyprus [Travaux de la Maison de l’ Orient Méditerranéen No. 31 (1997), p. 197-205], Lyon: 2000.
- Gilles Grivaud: Les minorités orientales à Chypre (Époques médiévale et moderne) ravaux de la Maison de l’ Orient Méditerranéen No. 31 (1997), p. 43-70]. Lyon: 2000.
- Nicholas Coureas: Non-Chalcedonian Christians on Latin Cyprus [Dei gesta per Francos: Crusade Studies in Honour of Jean Richard, p. 349-360], Surrey: 2001.
- Kevork Keshishian: The Armenian community of Cyprus: 6th century AD to present day (1995) [ed. Ruth Keshishian; Cyprus Today, Vol. XL, No 1 (Jan.–April 2002) p. 22–40], Nicosia: 2002.
- Caesar V. Mavratsas: The Armenians and the Maronites of Cyprus: Comparative Considerations Considering Ethnic Assimilation [Travaux de la Maison de l’ Orient Méditerranéen No. 37 (2001), p. 205-210], Lyon: 2003.
- Αλέξανδρος-Μιχαήλ Χατζηλύρας: Η αρμενοκυπριακή κοινότητα [Ιστορία της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας, τόμος 3ος (1980–1989), σελ. 182-201], Λευκωσία, 2011.
- Αλέξανδρος-Μιχαήλ Χατζηλύρας: Η διαχρονική παρουσία της αρμενοκυπριακής κοινότητας [Ενατενίσεις, Νο. 14 (Μάιος-Αύγουστος 2011) σελ. 141-149], Λευκωσία: 2011.
Unpublished articles:
- Αλέξανδρος-Μιχαήλ Χατζηλύρας: The Armenians of Cyprus (2010 and 2011).
- Anahid Eskidjian: The Armenians in Cyprus (2003).
- Δρ. Αντρανίκ Αστζιάν: Η Αρμενική κοινότητα της Κύπρου τον 20ο αιώνα (2000 and 2002).
- Hubert Faustmann: Ethnic and religious minorities during the transitional period 1959-1960. The struggle for recognition and political rights (2008).
- Κεβόρκ Ζεϊτουντσιάν: Ιστορική πορεία της Αρμενικής κοινότητας στην Κύπρο (2000 and 2005).
- Vartan Tashdjian: The Armenian community of Cyprus (1978, 1987 and 2001)
- Vartan Tashdjian: The Armenians and the Armenian community of Cyprus (2009).
Biographies and autobiographies:
- Անդրանիկ Սագէսեան: Վահան Պէտէլեան, Երաժիշտ-Մանկավարժը (Պէյրութ: 2004).
- Ανδρέας Καραγιάν: Η αληθής ιστορία (Εκδόσεις Καστανιώτη, Αθήνα: 2008)
- Գառնիկ Մ. Դուրեան: Յուշերս (Նիկոսիա: 1999).
- Թագուհի Տէվլեթեան: Ողջոյն, Կեանք (Նիկոսիա: 2007).
- John Matossian: My father's House, an Armenian boyhood in Cyprus (Lusignan Press, Nicosia: 2005).
- Joy Eramian: The Agha's children: a Cypriot Armenian Dynasty (Nicosia: 2006).
- Յակոբ Յ. Փալամուտեան: Վերապրում, Յուշեր եւ Տպաւորութիւններ (Լոնտոն: 1987)
- Յարութիւն Անմահունի: Անցեալս ինծի հետ (Տպարան Կաթողիկոսութեան Հայոց Մեծի Տանն Կիլիկիոյ, Անթիլիաս: 2009).
- Մանուէլ Ս. Քասունի: Պատմագիտական ուսումնասիրութիւններ ակնարկներ, Յուշեր եւ այլ Էջեր (Պէյրութ: 2010).
- Նուպար Դաւիթեան: Անցեալի Վերյիշումներ (Նիկոսիա: 2000).
- ՊԱՍ: Կեանքի մը Պայքարը (Տպարան Դպրեվանույ Կաթողիկոսութեան Կիլիկիոյ, Անթիլիաս: 1937).
Photographic albums (all of them bilingual, in English and Greek):
- Anna G. Marangou: Haigaz Mangoian 1907–1970 (Popular Bank Cultural Centre, Nicosia: 1996).
- Anna Marangou, Titos Kolotas: Before traces disappear; Limassol, the old town through Edward's lens (Popular Bank Cultural Centre, Nicosia: 2000).
- Stavros G. Lazarides: Giragos Zartarian, photographs 1935–1950 (Popular Bank Cultural Centre, Nicosia: 2007).
- Stavros G. Lazarides: Panorama of Cyprus, picture postcards of Cyprus 1899–1930 (Athens, Sylloges: 1987).
- Stavros G. Lazarides: The splendour and Simplicity of Cyprus, Photographs of Vahan Avedissian 1925–1950 (Popular Bank Cultural Centre, Nicosia: 2005).
- Theodore Deryan: Cyprus (Cornerstone Publications, Limassol: 2007).
External links
