Pilgrims celebrate nameday at renovated Apostolos Andreas

HUNDREDS of pilgrims, including First Lady Andri Anastasiades, celebrated Apostolos Andreas’ day at the renovated church dedicated to the saint in the Karpasia peninsula in the north on Wednesday.

The renovated church of Apostolos Andreas was handed over to the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage earlier in the month after the completion of its two-year restoration.

The Bishop of Karpasia, Christoforos, carried out the liturgy – the first following the completion of the restoration works – in the presence of the first lady, Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou, leaders of political parties and hundreds of people from all over the island, including Greek Cypriots living in the enclaved areas in the north.

Andri Anastasiades expressed hope for a settlement and for the reunification of the island. She said that this is also the wish of President Nicos Anastasiades.

Bishop Christoforos said that the renovation of the church was itself a miracle as there were instances where there were difficulties that delayed construction work, and that the project was completed with the help of the Apostle.