A Phanar hierarch condemned Turkey's occupation of Cyprus

On July 20, 2026, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America issued an official statement marking the 52nd anniversary of the start of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. In his address, the head of the archdiocese emphasized the tragedy of this date and the importance of continuing efforts to achieve peace.

According to the Orthodox Observer ( ), the archbishop called the events of 1974 an “illegal invasion and occupation” and noted that, more than half a century later, issues of justice for the island remain unresolved. He emphasized that the Church continues to actively advocate for a just, peaceful, and long-term settlement that will lead to the reunification of Cyprus.

In his message, Archbishop Elpidophoros expressed solidarity with the people of Cyprus and called on the faithful to pray and work toward achieving peace in the region, which has remained a zone of political tension for several decades.

It should be recalled that earlier, Archbishop George of Cyprus, during commemorative events in Nicosia, issued a statement on the need for official recognition of the current situation on the island as the result of the Turkish invasion and occupation. The Primate called on the authorities of Cyprus and Greece to actively fight for the complete liberation of the territories, emphasizing that national dignity takes precedence over compromise solutions.