LIKE Christ on Golgotha, the people of Cyprus continue to suffer a Calvary of persecution in their struggle for freedom from Turkish occupation, Archbishop Chrysostomos has said in his Easter message.
"This happy day of the resurrection unfortunately this year once again sees our people continuing on the path of Golgotha. The call that ‘Christ is risen’ will once again not be heard in our enslaved towns and villages. The ‘high priests’ of unfairness, the modern day Pharisees still plot and conspire against our people. They continue to… maintain the ongoing crucifixion of justice and freedom in our land."
Archbishop Chrysostomos went on to say that others, "who say they have been illuminated by our Greek Christian civilisation, ignorant and ungrateful for everything we have offered, and just like the mob of Judeans against Christ, are calling for the crucifixion of Hellenism and the acquittal of the thief…
"Our soul is pained and saddened by the unfairness, rape, deceit, ingratitude and abandonment. Alone, abandoned and alone, we lift the cross of our burden and continue the uphill journey to Golgotha."
But the Archbishop called on his flock not to bow their heads: "Let us not allow the weight of the cross to crush us, the Lord loves his children. Let us not allow our defeat and desperation to lead us to a fatalistic acceptance of injustice. Let not the indifference and hypocrisy of the modern day Pontius Pilates weaken our resistance, they who believe they define how things on earth occur. Let us not forget that above the powerful of this world is the fair and just God, who knows how to crush the arrogant and enforce justice for those who were wronged. He who loves and blesses all who fight for justice is here."
Chrysostomos said Christ’s resurrection confirmed that life was more powerful than death. "Light is stronger than darkness. Righteousness is stronger than unfairness."
"With this belief, let all the faithful continue on our torturous path and carry out our struggle, looking to the resurrection. No compromises with injustice. No betrayal of honour. No passive acceptance of the crucifixion. But on Golgotha we must stand tall, not on our knees, with our souls fighting for the resurrection to come. And resurrection will come only if we believe and if united we fight for it, if we all cast off the lethargy that has sunk us," he said.
"The Resurrection is today. Greek of Cyprus: in the celebrations and in joy, let your thoughts turn to the enslaved part of our land. Think of our churches there, dumb and plunged in darkness, ruined and desecrated. Think of our enslaved towns and villages, streets, houses, gardens and our memorials, and let the tears of nostalgia run down your cheeks, receive their voice and their memory into your souls."
The Archbishop said that it was the obligation of every Greek Cypriot to fight for the liberation of his country: "Let us always keep this message alive within us… so that all Cypriots – Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots – can return to their homes safely and freely."
