On Thursday, 26 February 2026, Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus received a delegation of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) at the Archbishopric of Cyprus in Nicosia. The delegation was led by Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain.
The members of the CEC are visiting Cyprus on the occasion of the Republic of Cyprus assuming the Presidency of the European Union. The meeting took place in a particularly warm and constructive atmosphere, during which issues of common concern were discussed, focusing on the role of Churches in contemporary European society, as well as on the promotion of peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding among peoples.
During the discussion, Archbishop Georgios conveyed to the delegation his deep concern for the survival of Greek Cypriot Hellenism on the land of its ancestors, in view of Turkey’s continued intransigence and refusal to seek a solution to the Cyprus problem based on European principles and values. He stressed that the ongoing occupation continues to burden the people of Cyprus and undermines prospects for a just and sustainable peace.
The Archbishop further underlined that the visit of the Conference of European Churches to Cyprus, on the occasion of the EU Presidency, is not merely a formal institutional event, but a meaningful act of solidarity with a country that still lives with the consequences of occupation, yet does not cease to hope and to struggle for justice and freedom. He added that the presence of the CEC on the island constitutes a practical expression of the Apostle Paul’s words: “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it” (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:26).
The meeting concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts and with a shared acknowledgment of the need to further strengthen cooperation between the Churches, for the benefit of peaceful coexistence among peoples and the promotion of reconciliation and solidarity across Europe.
Source and photos: Church of Cyprus, translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
