The Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a series of targeted initiatives for 2026 aimed at supporting Christian and other religious communities, as well as ecclesiastical and community institutions across the Middle East.
According to the Ministry, the initiatives are being implemented under the mandate of the Special Representative of the Republic of Cyprus for Religious Freedoms and the Protection of Minorities in the Middle East. They are intended to promote interfaith coexistence and social cohesion while supporting projects that benefit local communities.
As part of the program, €150,000 will be provided to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem for the Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza, a historic Orthodox church that has also served as a shelter for civilians. The funding will support repairs to the church, social and educational programs, new school facilities and the daily care of children.
A one-off allowance of €20,000 has also been approved for Cypriot monks of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre serving in the Holy Land, including at the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Monastery of Saint Gerasimos of the Jordan and the Monastery of the Meeting of the Lord in Bethany.
The Patriarchate of Antioch and its humanitarian arm will receive €100,000 for the restoration of a primary school in Syria’s Hama Governorate. The school serves pupils from different religious communities, including Christians. According to the Ministry, the project is intended to contribute to sustainable recovery, strengthen local communities and facilitate the safe return of displaced people.
An additional €48,000 will be distributed among churches and monasteries in Syria, including institutions associated with the Patriarchate of Antioch, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo and Alexandretta, the Armenian Churches of Damascus and Aleppo, the Monastery of Saint Thecla in Maaloula and the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saydnaya. The assistance will help cover essential needs such as food, drinking water, medical care and support for children and the elderly.
Cyprus has also provided funding for medical equipment at the St. Luke’s Orthodox Medical Association clinic in Jordan and for the renovation of the Armenian Church of Saint Garabed on the banks of the Jordan River. Further initiatives supporting Christian and other communities in Iraq are also under consideration.
The Foreign Ministry said the initiatives contribute to preserving the Middle East’s historic character and centuries-old Christian religious and cultural heritage. It added that Cyprus would continue to act as a bridge for interfaith dialogue and cooperation in the region, contributing to stability, peace and security.
Source: sigmalive.com, translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
