HUNDREDS of Greek Cypriots crossed over to the north early yesterday morning to attend the official ceremony to mark the feast day of Ayios Mamas in Morphou.
It was the second trip in two days for pilgrims after 30 years when the church was used as a museum.
On Wednesday night, around 2,000 attended vespers, hearing a moving sermon from Bishop Neophytos of Morphou, who called for forgiveness and reconciliation.
Yesterday’s service focused on Saint Mamas: the Bishop said the Saint had not lived long but had filled his years on earth with God, love and sainthood.
He said that the power of sainthood, love and forgiveness worked miracles and he called on all Cypriots not to wait for foreigners to come in to show them how to live together.
The Bishop also thanked everyone who had attended Wednesday’s ceremony, which had taken place amid heavy security following a bomb attack on the church a week ago.
Commenting on the strong presence of the diplomatic community at yesterday’s service, Bishop Neophytos said:
“They strengthen us with their presence and give us the hope that within a united Europe, Morphou and the whole of Cyprus will be able to utilise the European conditions and coexist.”
A host of foreign diplomats who crossed to attend yesterday’s ceremony said they had been deeply moved and expressed the hope that such events would ease the path to the reunification of the island.
The government, however, insisted yesterday the developments in Morphou were purely religious, and complained that the Turkish Cypriot side had reneged on an agreement to allow Greek Cypriots to cross without formalities other than a list of names.
“This is solely a religious event, it does not have any political significance or message,” said Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides.
But he added: “The government welcomes every move made in good faith which promotes co-operation and understanding between the island’s two communities.”
Adriaan van der Meer, the head of the European Commission Representation, told reporters that he had attended for a special personal reason and had found the ceremony very emotional.
“I would like to say that it was a very important event because it touches the basic freedom of the EU, mainly the freedom of religious expression”, he said.
“I hope that the people who participated like me feel very comfortable in this ceremony.”
French ambassador Hadelin de La Tour-Du-Pin said the services were another step towards reconciliation. “All the people who are here really pray and wish very strongly that peace, freedom and friendship are in Cyprus alive today and for the days to come”, he said.
British High Commissioner Lyn Parker said he did not think it was for outsiders to comment on such a day, as it was “a day for Cypriots”.
However, he went on to describe the service as a great achievement. “It shows what can happen when the will is there for both communities. I hope that it sends a signal of what can still be done to bring a settlement closer.”
Ned Nolan, the Charge d’affaires of the US Embassy in Nicosia said it was a great day and a very positive event, for both communities.
He added that although the international community did not have the outcome it had hoped for in April’s referendum on the Annan plan: “there are still positive things happening in Cyprus and we certainly hope that they are going to continue with events like these,” he added.
Commenting on the brief appearance of Turkish Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Mehmet Ali Talat in the courtyard of the church on Wednesday night, Government Spokesman Chrysostomides said Talat had exploited the event for his own purposes.
