Armenian Prelature of Cyprus

{{main|Armenian religion in Cyprus}}

File:Armenian Prelature building in Nicosia.jpg, Nicosia]]

The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus was established in 973 by Catholicos Khatchig I and ever since it has maintained a continuous presence on the island. In the years that followed, some of its Prelates participated in important church synods, such as Tateos (who participated in the Council of Hromkla in 1179), Nigoghaos (who participated in the Synod of Sis in 1307) and Krikor (who participated in a conference of Greek Orthodox Bishops in Cyprus in 1340). The antiquity of the Armenian Church in Cyprus was confirmed by a bull of Pope Leo X, which was issued in 1519 after multiple discords, according to which the Armenian Prelate would be senior to and take precedence over the Maronite, Jacobite and Coptic Prelates.[http://www.armenianreligion.am/am/Encyclopedia_of_armenian_religion_Kiprosi_Tem Armenian Diocese of Cyprus]{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2009|pages=10-11|url=https://www.academia.edu/578323/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus}}{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=8, 19, 30|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}}

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. During the Ottoman Era and the early British Era, for various reasons, it was at times under the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem (1775-1799, 1812-1837, 1848-1861, 1865-1877, 1888-1897, 1898-1908), the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople (1759-1775, 1799-1812, 1861-1864, 1877-1888, 1897-1898, 1908-1921), even the Catholicosate of Etchmiadzin (1864-1865).{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2009|pages=27|url=https://www.academia.edu/578323/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus}} Cyprus was the place of refuge for two exiled Armenian Patriarchs of Constantinople, Archbishop Tavit Areveltsi (1644-1648) and Senior Archimandrite Krikor Basmadjian (1773-1775).

File:Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian 2024.jpg

For centuries, the Prelature building was located within the Armenian compound in Victoria street in walled Nicosia; when that area was taken over by Turkish-Cypriot extremists in 1963-1964, the Prelature was temporarily housed in Aram Ouzounian street (1964-1969) and, later on, in Kyriakos Matsis street in Ayios Dhometios (1969-1983).

The current Catholicosal Vicar is, as of 19 July 2024, Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian; he arrived in Cyprus on 1st August 2024. The parish priest in Nicosia is archpriest Momik Habeshian (since 6 January 2000), the parish priest in Larnaca is archpriest Mashdots Ashkarian (since 9 January 1992) and the spiritual shepherd in Limassol is Senior Archimandrite Hovhannes Saghdejian (since 17 October 2024); Fr. Momik Habeshian was ordained at the Virgin Mary cathedral on 19 December 1999 by Bishop Varoujan Hergelian. The clergymen’s work is aided by the following ordained deacons and stole-bearers (alphabetically): Levon Arakelian, Dr. Antranik A. Ashdjian, Haig Aynedjian, Hagop Bohdjelian, Megerdich Gostanian, Stepan Haroutiunian, Souren Hidirian, Hovig Hovhannessian, Dr. Vahakn Kazandjian, Shant Sarkissian, Nareg Tavitian, Sebouh Tavitian, Vatche Toundjikian, Dr Haig Utidjian and Onnig Yenovkian, as well as by some ordained acolytes and non-ordained individuals who serve the church.

File:Armenian Ethnarchy of Cyprus in 2023.jpg

Thanks to the efforts of Bishop Zareh Aznavorian and with financial aid from the Evangelical Church of Westphalia, the new Prelature building was erected between 1983-1984, next to the Virgin Mary cathedral and the Nareg school in Nicosia, by architects Charilaos Dikaios & Athos Dikaios; it was officially inaugurated on 4 March 1984, during the pastoral visit of Catholicos Karekin II.{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=31|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}} It was recently renovated between 2017-2018, partly thanks to the contribution of the government of Cyprus.

By initiative of Bishop Varoujan Hergelian, the basement of the building was renovated in 1998 and the “Vahram Utidjian” Hall was formed; previously a store room, it became a reality from making good use of part of 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.{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=19, 31|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}} The Prelature’s consistory houses a collection of ecclesiastical relics, some of which were previously in the old Virgin Mary cathedral in occupied Nicosia or the Sourp Magar monastery in Halevga.

File:Armenian Ethnarchy of Cyprus 2022.jpg

The current Charter of the Prelature consists of 79 Articles and it applies as of 3 September 2010.{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=19|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}} Administration is exercised by the Armenian Ethnarchy (Ազգային Իշխանութիւն) through the Diocesan Council (Թեմական Ժողով, since 2014 officially called Երեսփոխանական Ժողով), presided by the Catholicosal Vicar and consisting of two (2) priests and twelve (12) elected lay persons - seven (7) for Nicosia, three (3) for Larnaca, one (1) for Limassol and one (1) for Famagusta] and the Administrative Council (Վարչական Ժողով, since 2014 officially called Ազգային Վարչութիւն), presided by the Catholicosal Vicar and consisting of seven (7) lay persons appointed by the Diocesan Council. The Diocesan Council's Chairman is Vahan Aynedjian (since 22 March 2022) and Hagop Kazandjian is the Administrative Council's Chairman (as of 6 March 2025). As of 1998, the elected Representative is ex officio a member of the Diocesan Council.

File:Armenian Ethnarchy of Cyprus.JPG

According to the Charter, the Prelature also has a Religious Council (Կրօնական Ժողով) - consisting of the four (4) clergymen -, the local Church Committees (Եկեղեցւոյ Հոգաբարձութիւններ - one each for the Holy Mother of God cathedral in Nicosia, the Sourp Stepanos church in Larnaca and the Sourp Kevork church in Limassol) - and the local Women's Guilds (Եկեղեցւոյ Տիկնանց Մարմիններ), as well as the Board of Christian Education (Քրիստոնէական Դաստիարակութեան Խորհուրդ). Finally, there is the four-part "Sourp Asdvadzadzin" church choir (Սուրբ Աստուածածին Մայր Եկեղեցւոյ Երգչախումբ), established in 1921 by Vahan Bedelian.

According to the Decision of the Council of Ministers 66.589/19-12-2007, the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus receives an annual grant of €59,800 by the Republic of Cyprus; the Republic also pays the salaries of the Prelature's clergy and covers their medical and health care (Decision of the Council of Ministers 48.166/22-07-1998). The same arrangements apply for the Maronite Archbishopric of Cyprus and the Latin Vicariate of Cyprus.

File:Armenian compound-Nicosia.jpg

Belonging to the Prelature are the following churches and chapels:

• Holy Mother of God (Sourp Asdvadzadzin) cathedral in Nicosia (1976-1981),{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2009|pages=17, 25|url=https://www.academia.edu/578323/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus}}
• Saint Stephen (Sourp Stepanos) church in Larnaca (1909-1913)
• Saint George (Sourp Kevork) church in Limassol (1939-1940)
• Three parish chapels in the vicinity of Nicosia:
• i) Saint Paul (Sourp Boghos) (ancient cemetery in the Ledra Palace area, 1892)
• ii) Holy Resurrection (Sourp Haroutiun) (old cemetery in Ayios Dhometios, 1938)
• iii) Holy Saviour of All (Sourp Amenapergitch) (Kalaydjian Rest Home for the Elderly in Acropolis, 1995-1997).{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2009|pages=25|url=https://www.academia.edu/578323/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus}}{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=20, 30-31|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}}

In the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, there are the following places of worship:

• Old Virgin Mary (Sourp Asdvadzadzin or Notre Dame de Tyre/Tortosa) cathedral on Victoria street, old Nicosia (1308-1310),{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2009|pages=13, 25|url=https://www.academia.edu/578323/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus}}{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=21, 30|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}}
• Saint Makarios (Sourp Magar or Magaravank) monastery in Halevga (c. 1000/1425),{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2009|pages=13, 25-26|url=https://www.academia.edu/578323/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus}}{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=9, 21|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}}
• Virgin Mary of Ganchvor church in Famagusta (1346).{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2009|pages=25|url=https://www.academia.edu/578323/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus}}{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=21, 30|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}}

For Liturgies to be held in Christian places of worship in occupied Cyprus, a special permission needs to be obtained.

File:Nicosia ancient Armenian cemetery.jpg

In Nicosia, there are three Armenian cemeteries:

• i) the ancient cemetery (established c. 1810 and used until 1931, in the vicinity of the Ledra Palace Hotel;
• ii) the old cemetery (established in 1931) in Ayios Dhometios;
• iii) the new cemetery (established in 1998) in the Anthoupolis-Kato Dheftera area.{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2009|pages=26|url=https://www.academia.edu/578323/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus}}{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=20|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}}

In the ancient cemetery, there is a commemorative aluminium plate, on top of a cenotaph (2010), containing the names of 419 people for which there are records they were buried there between 1877 and 1931; this plate is probably the only one of its kind in a cemetery in Cyprus.{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=26|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}}

File:Larnaca cemetery khatchkar.jpg

There are two fountains in the second (old) cemetery, one made of mortar (1952) and a granite one (2015). In the new cemetery, there is a grey tuff stone khachkar (cross-stone, 2012), placed there in 2013 in memory of all deceased of the Armenian nation; there is also a granite fountain (2000), with a shelter constructed over it (2010).

There is one Armenian cemetery in Larnaca (established in 1923) and one in Limassol (established in 1960).{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2009|pages=26|url=https://www.academia.edu/578323/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus}}{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=28|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}} In the Larnaca cemetery, there is a reddish brown tuff stone khachkar (cross-stone, 2011), placed there in 2012 in memory of all deceased of the Armenian nation in Larnaca; there is also a marble fountain (2007). In the Limassol cemetery, there is a granite fountain (2001), with a shelter constructed over it (2006).

Turkish-occupied Famagusta's Armenian cemetery (established 1967), in the Ayios Memnon area, has been inaccessible since the 1974 Turkish invasion.{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2009|pages=26|url=https://www.academia.edu/578323/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus}}{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=28|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}}

File:Armenian_Genocide_Monument_in_Nicosia.jpg

Other than the monuments mentioned in the previous section, in the courtyard of the Holy Mother of God (Sourp Asdvadzadzin) cathedral in Nicosia, there are the following monuments:

• i) the white marble Armenian Genocide monument (1990-1991), with two marble ossuaries in front of it (2000);
• ii) a white marble khachkar (cross-stone), a symbol of friendship of Armenians and Greeks of Cyprus (2001);
• iii) the bronze bust of Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian (2004), placed there in 2005.{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2009|pages=31|url=https://www.academia.edu/578323/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus}}{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=26, 31-32|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}}

In the courtyard of the Saint Stephen (Sourp Stepanos) church in Larnaca, there is a reddish brown tuff stone khachkar (cross-stone, 2011) dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Adana massacre and the myriads of Armenian martyrs.{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=26, 32|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}}

File:Nsia-monument-1948.jpg

File:LImassol hall.jpg

In the courtyard of the Saint George (Sourp Kevork) church in Limassol, there is a dark brown tuff stone khachkar (cross-stone, 2008).{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2009|pages=31|url=https://www.academia.edu/578323/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus}}{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=26, 32|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}} To the east of the church there is the functions’ hall (2020-2022), which replaced a previous hall (1959).

In the courtyard of the Virgin Mary (Sourp Asdvadzadzin or Notre Dame de Tyre/Tortosa) cathedral in Turkish-occupied Nicosia, there was the old Armenian Genocide monument (1932), considered to be the second oldest of its kind in the world; unfortunately, only its base survives today, as the Turks have removed the obelisk that used to be on top of it...{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2009|pages=31|url=https://www.academia.edu/578323/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus}}{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=26, 30|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}}

There are two monuments in the vicinity of the Turkish-occupied Saint Makarios (Sourp Magar or Magaravank) monastery in Halevga:

• i) a mortar obelisk, on top of Mekhitar's Hill, to the north-east of the monastery, dedicated to Abbot Mekhitar, his visit there in 1695 and the 200th anniversary of the formation of the Mekhitarist Order (1931, it replaced an older monument from 1901);
• ii) a stone column, located at the monastery's square to the west of the monastery, dedicated to the visit of Catholicos Sahag II there and the opening of the square in 1933.{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2009|pages=31|url=https://www.academia.edu/578323/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus}}{{cite book|last=Hadjilyra|first=Alexander-Michael|title=The Armenians of Cyprus|year=2016|pages=26, 30|url=https://publications.gov.cy/en/assets/user/publications/ARMENIANS/EN/Armenians_EN_2016.pdf}}

Below is the list of Prelates, Catholicosal Vicars and locum tenentes of the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, according to available information. Unfortunately, there are some gaps:

According to available records, the following clergymen served as resident parish priests and spiritual shepherds:

Nicosia: Fr. Bedros Vartanian (1874-1882), Fr. Hovhannes Shahinian (1877-1922), Fr. Yeghia Pekmezian (1877-1880), Fr. Hovhannes Shahanian (1881-1889), Fr. Ghevont Der Nahabedian (1896-1913), Fr. Sahag Minassian (1912-1916), Fr. Arsen Yemenidjian (1922-1926), Archimandrite Krikor Bahlavouni (Topal Vartabed) (1922-1948), Fr. Haroutiun Toumayan (1922-1929), Fr. Hagop Nazarian (1926-1931), Fr. Ohannes Der Megerditchian (1930-1942), Fr. Benjamin Vanerian (1931-1942), Fr. Vahan Jelajian (1936) *, archpriest Khoren Kouligian (1938-1966), Fr. Shahe Semerdjian (1949-1951) *, Fr. Krikor Bedrossian (1951-1954), Fr. Arsen Hagopian (1951-1955) *, archpriest Vazken Sandrouni (1956-2000) *, archpriest Momik Habeshian (2000- ) *.

Larnaca: Fr. Vahan Bulbulian (1912-1913), Fr. Mesrob Keoshgerian (1919-1920 & 1921-1924), Archimandrite Krikor Bahlavouni (Topal Vartabed) (1920-1922), Fr. Arsen Yemenidjian (1921-1922), Fr. Khoren Kouyoumdjian (1921-1922), Bishop Yeghishe Garoyan (1921-1929), Fr. Mesrob Demirdjian (1921-1924), Fr. Yeznig Ashdjian (1921-1925), Fr. Kevork Kalaydjian (1923-1928), Fr. Ohannes Der Megerditchian (1928-1929), Fr. Krikor Bedrossian (1929-1951), Fr. Vartan Avakian (1951-1957) *, Fr. Smpad Der Mekhsian (1957-1962), Fr. Sahag Andekian (1963-1967), Fr. Ashod Gotchian (1966-1968), Fr. Magar Nadjarian (1969-1970), archpriest Parsegh Khatcherian (1971-1984), Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian (1986-1990) *, archpriest Mashdots Ashkarian (1992- ).

Limassol:

Archimandrite Varoujan Hergelian (1970-1974), Senior Archimandrite Hovhannes Saghdedjian (2024- ).

(*) ordained in Cyprus.

Prior to 1974, priests from Nicosia would visit Famagusta and hold Liturgies there. With regard to Limassol, prior to 1970 priests from Nicosia would celebrate Liturgies, whereas between 1974-2024 the Larnaca parish priest was also Limassol's parish priest.

Sourp_Asdvadzadzin-front.jpg|Sourp Asdvadzadzin cathedral in Acropolis, Nicosia

Sourp Stepanos church.jpg|Sourp Stepanos church in Larnaca

Limassol 01-2017 img12 Sourp Kevork Armenian Church.jpg|Sourp Kevork church in Limassol

Sourp_Boghos.jpg|Sourp Boghos chapel in Nicosia

Ayp_kerezmanadoun.jpg|The entrance gate to Nicosia's ancient Armenian cemetery

Sourp_Haroutiun.jpg|Sourp Haroutiun chapel in Ayios Dhometios, Nicosia

SecondArmeniancemetery-Nicosia.jpg|View of Nicosia's second Armenian cemetery

Sourp_Amenapergitch.jpg|Holy Saviour of All chapel in Acropolis, Nicosia

Shelter-Kim_cemetery.jpg|Shelter at Nicosia's new Armenian cemetery

Nicosia-newArmeniancemetery.jpg|View of Nicosia's new Armenian cemetery

Larnaca-Armeniancemetery.jpg|View of Larnaca's Armenian cemetery

Limassol_Armenian_cemetery.jpg|View of Limassol's Armenian cemetery

Utidjian_srah.jpg|The "Vahram Utidjian" Hall of the Prelature, Nicosia

Notre_Dame_de_Tyre,_Nicosia_(2).jpg|Old Sourp Asdvadzadzin cathedral in occupied Nicosia

Notre_Dame_De_Tyre_Ermeni_Kilisesi.jpg|Entrance to the old Sourp Asdvadzadzin cathedral in occupied Nicosia

Famagusta 01-2017 img08 Armenian Church.jpg|Ganchvor church in Famagusta

Ganchvor-Carmelite_church.jpg|Ganchvor church in Famagusta, next to the Carmelite church

Magaravank1974.jpg|Panoramic view of Saint Makarios monastery in Halevga (1967)

Magaravank-1970.jpg|Saint Makarios monastery in Halevga (early 1970s)

Армянский монастырь.jpg|Saint Makarios monastery in Halevga (current view)

{{reflist}}

• Armenian religion in Cyprus
• Armenians in Cyprus
• Armenian education in Cyprus

{{Dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church}}

Category:Armenian Apostolic Church in Cyprus

Cyprus

Category:Oriental Orthodox dioceses in Asia

Category:Oriental Orthodox dioceses in Europe