Lefkoniko municipality condemns refusal of service at Archangel Michael’s Church

Lefkoniko, Cyprus. The municipality of Lefkoniko has criticised the Turkish Cypriot side for denying a request to hold a religious service at the town’s Archangel Michael’s Church, describing the move as “unacceptable”. In a statement on Tuesday, it said the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (Unficyp) had told it the request for this Saturday’s service was refused.

Municipality’s reaction

The municipality said the request had been rejected “once again” and voiced profound disappointment and anger. In its view, the repeated refusals neither foster trust nor help create conditions for mutual respect and reconciliation.

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The statement argued that displaced Greek Cypriots hold an “inalienable right” to visit their churches and to sustain their religious customs.

Appeal to international bodies

The municipality urged Unficyp, the UN and the wider international community to safeguard religious freedom. It cited international law, the 1907 Hague Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights.

It added that it would keep working to protect historical memory along with the town’s cultural and religious heritage.

About the church and the town

The church dates to the 12th century, the Byzantine era, and once served as the centre of Lefkoniko’s upper parish. A conservation project funded by the European Union in 2016 to repair its dilapidated condition cost around €450,000.

Lefkoniko lies in the Famagusta district on the Mesaoria plain and was historically known for its lace. Before the Turkish invasion in 1974, it had a Greek Cypriot population of more than 2,000.

The town was later resettled by Turkish Cypriots from Kofinou and the nearby village of Artemi. It lies next to a military airstrip used by the Turkish air force.