The real enemy of Cyprus is not a barbarian bloodthirsty Turkey, forever bent on the unbridled conquest of Cyprus; nor is it not a secret conspiracy involving foreign interests in Cyprus, who will ensure Cyprus remains divided forever which secures their interests…. whatever they may be.
The reality is that these so called “enemies of Cyprus” have been created and fostered only to cover up the real culprit. This true enemy has been lying right under our nose for hundreds of years. It has governed our lives and directed society. It has even penetrated into the political arena of Cyprus and gone so far as to select Presidents and political parties.
The only enemy of Cyprus with such a degree of influence, power and ability is none other than the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus. The so called protector of Hellenism and the Greek identity in Cyprus. This is the real enemy and we have let it determine our fate for far too long.
Seeing the church advocate ‘hitting’ naughty school children and constantly meddling in state affairs from the time of EOKA, to the Annan Plan and beyond has caused me to voice my concerns. More recently Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus, Chrysostomos II, asked Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis for the substantial support of the Greek government to avoid “amateur” handling in a new solution plan for Cyprus.
As an individual, I am Greek Orthodox and consider myself very religious. More so than the average person. I do not go to church just to be seen or because of tradition. I hold a firm belief in the Orthodox faith and actively practice what is preached. I try desperately to hold firm the value of forgiveness, which I consider the most challenging value of the Orthodox religion. However in Cyprus I despise the Church and refuse to contribute to their corruption and hypocrisy.
For years the church advocated for armed violence, a concept that all religions outright reject. But in Cyprus, the church supports this notion. The church also ignores the principles of forgiveness and constantly advocates an outright revenge type mentality against Turkey and other claimed “enemies” of Cyprus.
My message to the church is simple. Go back to school. It is obvious the Orthodox religious leaders did not understand what their religion advocates and instead practice the opposite. My message to the political leadership. Put an end to the church’s involvement in state affairs. Nothing aggravates me more than seeing no advance in Cypriot life from the Medieval ages. Political leaders in Cyprus still essentially rule by the will of god, as the monarchs in medieval Europe did. Essentially, if the church supports a Presidential candidate his/her chance of winning is greatly increased.
My message to the people. Open your eyes. The power to change the future is in your hands and your hands only. Do not be a slave to the church which maintains its own agenda. Cyprus must wake up. I am not advocating abandoning your religious beliefs and traditions. On the contrary, I am asking you to enhance them, as it is clear that the church does not hold true to the basic principles of its own religious doctrine.
(Name and address supplied)
