Napa looks to heavens

By Martin Hellicar

THE GREEK Orthodox Church in Ayia Napa is seeking divine intervention to bring an end to what it sees as the sordid goings-on in the bustling resort.

The head priest in Ayia Napa, Father Papageorgiou, has called on church- going Christians in the area to spend the whole of this week in prayer and fasting. The aim is to elicit “God’s mercy for the social and moral degradation prevalent in our area,” the priest stated in an announcement distributed in Ayia Napa churches last Sunday.

Ayia Napa has been making newspaper headlines for all the wrong reasons this Summer, with pictures of drunken foreign tourists taking part in live “sex shows” making the front pages and cases of drug abuse, violent and indecent behaviour flooding the District Court.

Tourism Minister Nicos Rolandis has been at pains to insist that such behaviour – almost invariable involving tourists – is the exception in the popular sun, sea and nightclub resort.

The Minister has nonetheless promised to look at measures – such as increased policing – to curb the excesses of some tourists’ behaviour.

Father Papageorgiou obviously does not feel such good Ministerial intentions are enough. He feels turning to God is the only way to rid the resort of promiscuous and violent behaviour.

A number of vigils and special services are being conducted during the week of fasting and prayer to encourage the faithful.

Father Papageorgiou has even written a special prayer for the week.

“We implore you, Lord, to enlighten our youth and to lead them away from harmful actions,” the prayer reads. “Protect their inexperienced and vulnerable souls from the traps of the evil one,” it adds.

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