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Armenian Prelature of Cyprus

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Prelature of Cyprus

Կիպրոսի Թեմ
Holy Mother of God Cathedral, Nicosia
Location
CountryCyprus
Statistics
Population
- Total		(as of 2020 est.)
~4,000
Information
DenominationArmenian Apostolic Church
RiteArmenian Rite
Established973
CathedralHoly Mother of God Cathedral, Nicosia
Current leadership
PatriarchAram I
Catholicosal VicarArchbishop Gomidas Ohanian

Armenian Prelature of Cyprus (Armenian: Առաջնորդարան Հայոց Կիպրոսի) is one of the oldest Dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church outside the historic Armenian territories, and the oldest one under the jurisdiction of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia covering the Republic of Cyprus. It was established in 973 AD and currently has around 4,000 followers, comprising around 95% of the Armenians in Cyprus.

The seat of the Prelature is the Holy Mother of God Cathedral of Nicosia. The Prelature building is situated next to the cathedral, on 47 Armenia Avenue, Strovolos, Nicosia.[1] Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian is currently the Catholicosal Vicar, appointed on 19 July 2024.[2] Archbishop Gomidas arrived in Cyprus on 1st August 2024.

The Prelature has a Facebook page (established in 2014), and also publishes an annual newsletter, titled «Լրատու» (Newsletter, since 2017).

History

[edit]
Main article: Armenian religion in Cyprus
The building of the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus in Strovolos, Nicosia

The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus was established in 973 by Catholicos Khatchig I and ever since it has maintained a continuous presence on the island. In the years that followed, some of its Prelates participated in important church synods, such as Tateos (who participated in the Council of Hromkla in 1179), Nigoghaos (who participated in the Synod of Sis in 1307) and Krikor (who participated in a conference of Greek Orthodox Bishops in Cyprus in 1340). The antiquity of the Armenian Church in Cyprus was confirmed by a bull of Pope Leo X, which was issued in 1519 after multiple discords, according to which the Armenian Prelate would be senior to and take precedence over the Maronite, Jacobite and Coptic Prelates.[3][4][5]

Historically, the Prelature has been under the jurisdiction of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, while today it is the oldest theme that falls under its jurisdiction. During the Ottoman Era and the early British Era, for various reasons, it was at times under the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem (1775-1799, 1812-1837, 1848-1861, 1865-1877, 1888-1897, 1898-1908), the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople (1759-1775, 1799-1812, 1861-1864, 1877-1888, 1897-1898, 1908-1921), even the Catholicosate of Etchmiadzin (1864-1865).[6] Cyprus was the place of refuge for two exiled Patriarchs of Constantinople, Archbishop Tavit Areveltsi (1644-1648) and Senior Archimandrite Krikor Basmadjian (1773-1775).

Archbishop Gomidas officiating in the old Virgin Mary cathedral, occupied Nicosia (2024)

For centuries, the Prelature building was located within the Armenian compound in Victoria street in walled Nicosia; when that area was taken over by Turkish-Cypriot extremists in 1963-1964, the Prelature was temporarily housed in Aram Ouzounian street (1964-1968) and, later on, in Kyriakos Matsis street in Ayios Dhometios (1968-1984).

Current situation

[edit]

The current Catholicosal Vicar General is, as of 19 July 2024, Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian. He arrived in Cyprus on 1st August 2024. The parish priest in Nicosia is Fr. Momik Habeshian (since 2000), the parish priest in Larnaca is Fr. Mashdots Ashkarian (since 1992) and the spiritual shepherd in Limassol is Senior Archimandrite Hovhannes Saghdejian (since 2024); Fr. Momik Habeshian was ordained at the Virgin Mary cathedral on 19 December 1999 by Bishop Varoujan Hergelian. The clergymen’s work is aided by the following ordained deacons and stole-bearers (alphabetically): Levon Arakelian, Dr. Antranik A. Ashdjian, Haig Aynedjian, Hagop Bohdjelian, Megerdich Gostanian, Stepan Haroutiunian, Souren Hidirian, Hovig Hovhannessian, Dr. Vahakn Kazandjian, Shant Sarkissian, Nareg Tevitian, Sebouh Tavitian, Vatche Toundjikian, Dr Haig Utidjian and Onnig Yenovkian, as well as by some ordained acolytes and non-ordained individuals who serve the church.

The Armenian Ethnarchy of Cyprus in the Prelature's consistory with Catholicos Aram I (2023)

Thanks to the efforts of Bishop Zareh Aznavorian and with financial aid from the Evangelical Church of Westphalia, the new Prelature building was erected between 1983-1984, next to the Virgin Mary cathedral and the Nareg school in Nicosia, by architects Charilaos Dikaios & Athos Dikaios; it was officially inaugurated on 4 March 1984, during the pastoral visit of Catholicos Karekin II.[7] It was recently renovated between 2017-2018, partly thanks to the contribution of the government of Cyprus.

By initiative of Bishop Varoujan Hergelian, the basement of the building was renovated in 1998 and the “Vahram Utidjian” Hall was formed; previously a store room, it became a reality from the proceeds of the auction in 1994 of the art collection that Vahram Utidjian had donated to the Prelature in 1954. It was inaugurated on 3 February 1999 by Catholicos Aram I; numerous charity, communal and cultural events take place there.[8] The Prelature’s consistory houses a collection of ecclesiastical relics, some of which were previously in the old Virgin Mary cathedral in occupied Nicosia or the Sourp Magar monastery in Halevga.

The Armenian Ethnarchy of Cyprus in the "Vahram Utidjian" Hall (2022)

The current Charter of the Prelature consists of 79 Articles and it applies as of 3 September 2010.[9] Administration is exercised by the Armenian Ethnarchy (Ազգային Իշխանութիւն) through the Diocesan Council (Թեմական Ժողով, since 2014 officially called Երեսփոխանական Ժողով), presided by the Catholicosal Vicar and consisting of two (2) priests and twelve (12) elected lay persons - seven (7) for Nicosia, three (3) for Larnaca, one (1) for Limassol and one (1) for Famagusta] and the Administrative Council (Վարչական Ժողով, since 2014 officially called Ազգային Վարչութիւն), presided by the Catholicosal Vicar and consisting of seven (7) lay persons appointed by the Diocesan Council. The Diocesan Council's Chairman is Vahan Aynedjian (since 2022) and Sevag Gurunlian is the Administrative Council's Chairman (as of 2021). As of 1998, the elected Representative is ex officio a member of the Diocesan Council.

The Armenian Ethnarchy of Cyprus in front of the Prelature's building with Catholicos Aram I (2008)

According to the Charter, the Prelature also has a Religious Council (Կրօնական Ժողով) - consisting of the four (4) clergymen -, the local Church Committees (Եկեղեցւոյ Հոգաբարձութիւններ - one in Sourp Asdvadzadzin in Nicosia, one in Sourp Stepanos in Larnaca and one in Sourp Kevork in Limassol) - and the local Women's Guilds (Եկեղեցւոյ Տիկնանց Մարմիններ), as well as the Board of Christian Education (Քրիստոնէական Դաստիարակութեան Խորհուրդ). Finally, there is the four-part "Sourp Asdvadzadzin" church choir (Սուրբ Աստուածածին Մայր Եկեղեցւոյ Երգչախումբ), established in 1921 by Vahan Bedelian.

According to the Decision of the Council of Ministers 66.589/19-12-2007, the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus receives an annual grant of €59,800 by the Republic of Cyprus; the Republic also pays the salaries of the Prelature's clergy and covers their medical and health care (Decision of the Council of Ministers 48.166/22-07-1998). The same arrangements apply for the Maronite Archbishopric of Cyprus and the Latin Vicariate of Cyprus.

Places of worship

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Sourp Asdvadzadzin cathedral in Acropolis, Nicosia

Belonging to the Prelature are the Holy Mother of God (Sourp Asdvadzadzin) cathedral in Nicosia (1976-1981),[10] Saint Stephen (Sourp Stepanos) church in Larnaca (1909-1913), Saint George (Sourp Kevork) church in Limassol (1939-1940), and three parish chapels in the vicinity of Nicosia: i) Saint Paul (Sourp Boghos) (ancient cemetery in the Ledra Palace area, 1892), ii) Holy Resurrection (Sourp Haroutiun) (old cemetery in Ayios Dhometios, 1938), and iii) Holy Saviour of All (Sourp Amenapergitch) (Kalaydjian Rest Home for the Elderly in Acropolis, 1995-1997).[11][12]

In the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, there is the old Virgin Mary (Sourp Asdvadzadzin or Notre Dame de Tyre/Tortosa) cathedral on Victoria street, old Nicosia (1308-1310),[13][14] the Saint Makarios (Sourp Magar or Magaravank) monastery in Halevga (c. 1000/1425),[15][16] and the Virgin Mary of Ganchvor church in Famagusta (1346).[17][18] For Liturgies to be held in Christian places of worship in occupied Cyprus, a special permission needs to be obtained.

Cemeteries

[edit]
View of Nicosia's ancient Armenian cemetery

In Nicosia, there are three Armenian cemeteries: i) the ancient cemetery (established c. 1810 and used until 1931, in the vicinity of the Ledra Palace Hotel, ii) the old cemetery (established in 1931) in Ayios Dhometios, and iii) the new cemetery (established in 1998) in the Anthoupolis-Kato Dheftera area.[19][20]

In the ancient cemetery, there is a commemorative aluminium plate, on top of a cenotaph (2010), containing the names of 419 people for which there are records they were buried there between 1877 and 1931; this plate is probably the only one of its kind in a cemetery in Cyprus.[21]

Larnaca Armenian cemetery's khachkar

There are two fountains in the second (old) cemetery, one made of mortar (1952) and a granite one (2015). In the new cemetery, there is a grey tuff stone khachkar (cross-stone, 2012), placed there in 2013 in memory of all deceased of the Armenian nation; there is also a granite fountain (2000), with a shelter constructed over it (2010).

There is one Armenian cemetery in Larnaca (established in 1923) and one in Limassol (established in 1960).[22][23] In the Larnaca cemetery, there is a reddish reddish brown tuff stone khachkar (cross-stone, 2011), placed there in 2012 in memory of all deceased of the Armenian nation in Larnaca; there is also a marble fountain (2007). In the Limassol cemetery, there is a granite fountain (2001), with a shelter constructed over it (2006).

Turkish-occupied Famagusta's Armenian cemetery (established 1967), in the Ayios Memnon area, has been inaccessible since the 1974 Turkish invasion.[24][25]

Monuments

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Nicosia's Armenian Genocide monument

Other than the monuments mentioned in the previous section, in the courtyard of the Holy Mother of God (Sourp Asdvadzadzin) cathedral in Nicosia, there are the following monuments: i) the white marble Armenian Genocide monument (1990-1991), with two marble ossuaries in front of it (2000), ii) a white marble khachkar, a symbol of friendship of Armenians and Greeks of Cyprus (2001), iii) the bronze bust of Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian (2004), placed there in 2005.[26][27]

In the courtyard of the Saint Stephen (Sourp Stepanos) church in Larnaca, there is a reddish brown tuff stone khachkar (cross-stone, 2011) dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Adana massacre and the myriads of Armenian martyrs.[28]

Nicosia's Armenian Genocide monument (1948)
View of Limassol's Armenian church functions hall

In the courtyard of the Saint George (Sourp Kevork) church in Limassol, there is a dark brown tuff stone khachkar (cross-stone, 2008).[29][30] To the east of the church there is the functions’ hall (2020-2022), which replaced a previous hall (1959).

In the courtyard of the Virgin Mary (Sourp Asdvadzadzin or Notre Dame de Tyre/Tortosa) cathedral in Turkish-occupied Nicosia, there was the old Armenian Genocide monument (1932), considered to be the second oldest of its kind in the world; unfortunately, only its base survives today, as the Turks have removed the obelisk that used to be on top of it...[31][32]

There are two monuments in the vicinity of the Turkish-occupied Saint Makarios (Sourp Magar or Magaravank) monastery in Halevga: i) a mortar obelisk dedicated to Abbot Mekhitar, his visit there in 1695 and the 200th anniversary of the formation of the Mekhitarist Order (1931, it replaced an older monument from 1901), and ii) a stone column, located at the monastery's square and dedicated to the visit of Catholicos Sahag II there and the opening of the square in 1933.[33][34]

List of Prelates, Catholicosal Vicars and locum tenentes

[edit]

Below is the list of Prelates, Catholicosal Vicars and locum tenentes of the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, according to available information. Unfortunately, there are some gaps:

Year Prelate Year Prelate Year Prelate Year Prelate Year Prelate
... 1179 ... Bishop Tateos 1715-1735 Archimandrite Haroutiun ... 1844 ... Archimandrite Tateos 1884 Fr. Hovhannes Papazian 1959 Bishop Hrant Khachadourian
... 1307 ... Bishop Nigoghaos 1734-1735 Archimandrite Haroutiun 1846-1848 Archbishop Hovhannes Marashtsi 1885-1889 Fr. Hovhannes Shahinian 1960–1968 Senior Archimandrite Yervant Apelian
... 1340 ... Bishop Krikor ... 1736 ... Archimandrite Mardiros Sisetsi 1848 Bishop Hovhannes Yetessian 1889-1896 Archimandrite Khoren Portoukalian 1968-1973 Senior Archimandrite Arsen Avedikian
1421-1425 Bishop Levon 1744-1745 Bishop Tavit 1854 Bishop Hovhannes Mamigonian 1896-1897 Fr. Ghevont Der Nahabedian 1973-1974 archpriest Vazken Sandrouni
1446-1467 Bishop Sarkis 1751-1753 Archimandrite Hovsep 1856 Bishop Apraham Bulbul 1897-1899 Fr. Hovhannes Shahinian 1974–1977 Bishop Nerses Pakhdigian
1504-1515 Bishop Tavit 1773-1774 Senior Archimandrite Krikor Basmadjian 1857-1859 Archimandrite Boghos Vanetsi 1899-1905 Archimandrite Bedros Saradjian 1977–1983 Bishop Zareh Aznavorian
1553-1567 Bishop Ghougas ...-1779 Bishop Mardiros 1859-1861 Archimandrite Atanas Izmirtsi 1906-1907 Archimandrite Yeremia Liforian 1983–1997 Senior Archimandrite Yeghishe Mandjikian
1567... Bishop Hovhannes 1783-1799 Bishop Hagop 1864-1865 Archimandrite Tateos Yeretsian 1907-1910 Fr. Hovhannes Shahinian 1997-2014 Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian
1581 Hieromonk Stepanos 1799-1812 Archbishop Hovhannes 1865-1869 Archimandrite Ghougas Khanigian 1910-1912 Fr. Ghevont Der Nahabedian 2014-2016 Archbishop Nareg Alemezian
... 1618 ... Monk Vartan 1812-1814 Archimandrite Bedros 1870-1872 Archimandrite Vartan Mamigonian 1912-1917 Fr. Sahag Minassian 2016–2017 Fr. Mashdots Ashkarian
... 1642 ... Archimandrite Mesrob 1814-1816 Archimandrite Stepanos 1872-1873 Archimandrite Movses Geomrukdjian 1918-1919 Senior Archimandrite Yervant Perdahdjian 2017-2024 Archbishop Khoren Toghramadjian
1644 Bishop Tavit Areveltsi 1816-1817 Archimandrite Teotoros 1873-1874 Archimandrite Maghakia Derounian 1920 Archbishop Taniel Hagopian 2024- Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian
... 1665 ... Fr. Sahag 1817-1819 Bishop Tionesios Garabedian 1874-1876 Archimandrite Mesrob Ghaltakhdjian 1920-1940 Archbishop Bedros Saradjian
... 1668 ... Bishop Hovhannes 1821 Archimandrite Stepanos 1876-1877 Archimandrite Garabed Pakradouni 1936-1940 Archimandrite Barouyr Minassian
... 1670 ... Bishop Melidon 1822-1827 Archimandrite Kapriel 1878-1880 archpriest Hovhannes Hunkiarbeyendian 1940-1946 archpriest Khoren Kouligian
1675-1695 Archimandrite Sarkis Cholakh 1827-1833 Archimandrite Haroutiun Izmirtsi 1880-1881 Archimandrite Zakaria Yeghissian 1946-1956 Archbishop Ghevont Chebeyan
1704-1705 Archimandrite Minas Amtetsi 1837-1843 Bishop Hovhannes 1881-1883 Archimandrite Movses Geomrukdjian 1956–1960 archpriest Khoren Kouligian
[edit]
  • Sourp Asdvadzadzin cathedral in Acropolis, Nicosia (northern view)
    Sourp Asdvadzadzin cathedral in Acropolis, Nicosia (northern view)
  • Sourp Stepanos church in Larnaca
    Sourp Stepanos church in Larnaca
  • Sourp Kevork church in Limassol
    Sourp Kevork church in Limassol
  • Sourp Boghos chapel in Nicosia
    Sourp Boghos chapel in Nicosia
  • The entrance gate to Nicosia's ancient Armenian cemetery
    The entrance gate to Nicosia's ancient Armenian cemetery
  • Sourp Haroutiun chapel in Ayios Dhometios, Nicosia
    Sourp Haroutiun chapel in Ayios Dhometios, Nicosia
  • View of Nicosia's second Armenian cemetery
    View of Nicosia's second Armenian cemetery
  • Holy Saviour of All chapel in Acropolis, Nicosia
    Holy Saviour of All chapel in Acropolis, Nicosia
  • Shelter at Nicosia's new Armenian cemetery
    Shelter at Nicosia's new Armenian cemetery
  • View of Nicosia's new Armenian cemetery
    View of Nicosia's new Armenian cemetery
  • View of Larnaca's Armenian cemetery
    View of Larnaca's Armenian cemetery
  • View of Limassol's Armenian cemetery
    View of Limassol's Armenian cemetery
  • The "Vahram Utidjian" Hall of the Prelature, Nicosia
    The "Vahram Utidjian" Hall of the Prelature, Nicosia
  • Old Sourp Asdvadzadzin cathedral in occupied Nicosia
    Old Sourp Asdvadzadzin cathedral in occupied Nicosia
  • Entrance to the old Sourp Asdvadzadzin cathedral in occupied Nicosia
    Entrance to the old Sourp Asdvadzadzin cathedral in occupied Nicosia
  • Ganchvor church in Famagusta
    Ganchvor church in Famagusta
  • Ganchvor church in Famagusta, next to the Carmelite church
    Ganchvor church in Famagusta, next to the Carmelite church
  • Panoramic view of Saint Makarios monastery in Halevga (1967)
    Panoramic view of Saint Makarios monastery in Halevga (1967)
  • Saint Makarios monastery in Halevga (early 1970s)
    Saint Makarios monastery in Halevga (early 1970s)
  • Saint Makarios monastery in Halevga (current view)
    Saint Makarios monastery in Halevga (current view)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Holy See of Cilicia Prelacies
  2. ^ "His Holiness Catholicos Aram I Appoints H.E. Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian as Pontifical Vicar to the Armenian Prelacy in Cyprus". Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  3. ^ Armenian Diocese of Cyprus
  4. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2009). The Armenians of Cyprus. pp. 10–11.
  5. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). pp. 8, 19, 30.
  6. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2009). The Armenians of Cyprus. p. 27.
  7. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). p. 31.
  8. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). pp. 19, 31.
  9. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). p. 19.
  10. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2009). The Armenians of Cyprus. pp. 17, 25.
  11. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2009). The Armenians of Cyprus. p. 25.
  12. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). pp. 20, 30–31.
  13. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2009). The Armenians of Cyprus. pp. 13, 25.
  14. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). pp. 21, 30.
  15. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2009). The Armenians of Cyprus. pp. 13, 25–26.
  16. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). pp. 9, 21.
  17. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2009). The Armenians of Cyprus. p. 25.
  18. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). pp. 21, 30.
  19. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2009). The Armenians of Cyprus. p. 26.
  20. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). p. 20.
  21. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). p. 26.
  22. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2009). The Armenians of Cyprus. p. 26.
  23. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). p. 28.
  24. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2009). The Armenians of Cyprus. p. 26.
  25. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). p. 28.
  26. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2009). The Armenians of Cyprus. p. 31.
  27. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). pp. 26, 31–32.
  28. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). pp. 26, 32.
  29. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2009). The Armenians of Cyprus. p. 31.
  30. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). pp. 26, 32.
  31. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2009). The Armenians of Cyprus. p. 31.
  32. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). pp. 26, 30.
  33. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2009). The Armenians of Cyprus. p. 31.
  34. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (2016). The Armenians of Cyprus (PDF). pp. 26, 30.

See also

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