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Ethnic Minorities
Maronite Community
The Maronites belong to the Eastern Christian cult of the Catholic Church which is based in Antioch. They were named after Saint Maron (350-410 AD) who lived in the region of Apamea in Syria. The Maronites were recognized as an independent religious community which was speaking and praying in the Aramaic language (the Edessa dialect). Aramaic was the language of Jesus Christ and it is in this language the Maronites continue to pray.
Following the Turkish invasion in 1974, the Maronites became refugees whereas a small number remained enclaved in 3 of the Maronite villages of Kormakitis, Asomatos and Karpashia. Today there are 133 enclaved people in the 3 Maronite villages.
Armenians
For centuries Armenians used to live in Cyprus, but the main exodus of Armenians from their homelands to Cyprus was during the period 1915-1920.
During the 1974 Turkish invasion, the Armenian community, as everybody else, lost its ‘Makara’ and ‘Kantsvor’ monasteries, its primary school, and church in Nicosia, as well as other properties belonging to the community.
In order to preserve their identity, Armenians throughout their history used to live near their churches and schools, which were built close to each other. Currently, there are 3 Armenian churches and schools in Cyprus, one in each town. There is one secondary school, the Melkonian Educational Institute, known as the ‘Small Armenia’. Armenians, like in other nations, could not survive without their language, have their own newspapers, clubs, associations, and national committees.
Armenians have the right to elect their Parliamentary Representative in the House of Representatives. The members of the Religious Groups vote also for Members of the Parliament who represent the political parties.
The Monastery of Sourp Magkar (St. Makarios) is the only Armenian monastery in Cyprus. Built by the side of Pendadaktylo in the Halevkas area. It was dedicated to the Kopti hermite St. Makarios of Alexandrias (309-404 AD). Due to the island division, the monastery is deserted and in a dilapidated state.
Latins
The Latin Religious Group of Cyprus, otherwise ‘minorities’ a term used by the Council of Europe, is composed of Roman Catholics originating from countries with Latin culture. The arrival of the first Latins in Cyprus was with Richard the Lionheart in 1191 AD during the 3rd crusade. The Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus recognises religious groups. The Latins have the right to elect their Parliamentary Representative in the House of Representatives. The 1970 Legislation Law for the Religious Groups gives the right to the representatives to be consulted on educational and religious issues that affect their groups and also to be observers in the Plenary Assembly.
The number of Latin Catholics was estimated to be 2,000 Cypriot citizens. There are also 4,000 permanent residents (non Cypriots) and 8,000 Latin foreign workers. A total of 14,000 Latinos live in Cyprus.
The contribution of the Latin Religious Group in culture has played an important role through the centuries, i.e.:
the Paphos Gate in Nicosia
the Venetian Walls in Nicosia
the Cathedral of St. Sophia in Kastelliotissa, North Nicosia (Selimiye Mosque)
the Medieval Castle in Limassol
the Castle in Kolossi in Limassol
the small Castle in Paphos
the Medieval Monastery in Ayia Napa
the St Nicholas Cathedral in Famagusta
the Tower of Othello in Famagusta
Kantara (crusader) Castle (the house of 101 rooms) in Salamina
the Saint Hilarion Castle of Kyrenia
the Bellapais in Famagusta
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