Pray for Cyprus

Cyprus is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
It is east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and Lebanon, northwest
of Israel and north of Egypt.

Nicosia is the capital and largest city.
The population is over 800 thousand.

Cypriots of Turkish descent live mostly in the north of the island.
Cypriots of Greek descent live in the south.

FACTS
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

The name Cyprus means “Copper”
In antiquity Cyprus was a major source of copper.

Cyprus was a major cult center for the Greek goddess Aphrodite.

Barnabas, a friend and companion of St Paul was from Cyprus.

Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world.

DEMOGRAPHICS
77%  Greek Cypriot
18%  Turkish Cypriot
5%   Other

78%   Greek Orthodox
18%   Muslim
1%    Catholic
2.7%  Other

HISTORY
Cyprus has been inhabited for thousands of years.

Mycenaean Greek traders started visiting Cyprus around 1400 B.C.

A major wave of Greek settlement took place from 1100 to 1050 B.C.
The island became predominantly Greek in character and was regarded as the birthplace of Aphrodite and Adonis.

In the 8th century B.C. Phoenician colonies were founded on the south coast.

Cyprus was ruled by Assyria Egyptian rule and eventually Persia.

Cyprus was conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 BC

After Alexander died Cyprus came under the control of Ptolemaic Egypt and was fully Hellenized.

In 58 B.C. Cyprus was annexed by Rome.

Cyprus was part of the  Byzantine Empire from 395-1191.

From 649-965 Cyprus suffered from devastating sea raids from the Middle East
During this time many cities were destroyed and thousands killed or carried off.

In 1191, during Richard I of England captured the island during the Third Crusade
and used it as a major supply base.

In 1192 Richard sold the island to the Knights Templar

After a revolt the Knights Templar sold the island to Guy of Lusignan.
The Lusigan Dynasty ruled Cyprus from 1192-1473.

In 1473 Venice gained control of the island and formally annexed it in 1489.

From 1489-1570 the Venetians used Cyprus as a commercial hub and built the famous
Venetian Walls.

From 1570-1914 Cyprus was under Ottoman rule.
During this time the island went through economic decline.

During the 19th century numerous minor uprisings took place and many Cypriots called
for union with Greece.

Cyprus was leased to the British Empire which took over its administration in 1878.
The island would serve Britain as a key military base in its colonial routes.

In 1914 Britain formally annexed Cyprus, Egypt and Sudan.
In 1925 Cyprus was declared a British crown colony.

There was often resistance to British rule.
In 1955 the EOKA was founded, seeking independence and union with Greece.
At the same time the Turkish Resistance Organisation  was established
by Turkish Cypriots.

In 1960 Cyprus became independent.
Britain retained the two Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.

Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority
came to a head in 1963, when violence broke out in Nicosia.

In 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence forced most Turkish Cypriots
into enclaves throughout the island.

In 1974 a there was  a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government.
This was met by military intervention from Turkey.
The fighting resulted in 1,534 Greek Cypriots and 502 Turkish Cypriots
dead or missing.

Within three weeks Turkey controlled most of the northern part of the island.
Some 180,000 Greek Cypriots were forced to flee to the south.
Approximately 45,000 Turkish Cypriots refugees migrated north.

A buffer zone called the Green Line was established between the north and south.

In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus.
This has only been recognized by Turkey.

Travel restrictions across the dividing line weren’t eased until 2003.

CONDITIONS
Cyprus is the third most populous island in the Mediterranean and one of its most popular tourist destinations.

The island is still divided between the Turkish north and Greek south.
Most visitors go to the south part of the island.

Most of the Turkish Cypriot live in rural villages and rely on agriculture and trade.
Turkish Cypriots are known for their warmth and hospitality.

Turkey maintains a military presence in the north of an estimated at 30,000 troops.
Around 150,000 settlers from Turkey are believed to be living in the north.

Because of its diplomatic isolation the economy of northern Cyprus has suffered badly.
The economy has benefitted from increased freedom of movement with southern Cyprus.

In the south the economy is high income and mostly service-based.
Tourism and financial services are the most important sectors.
Tourism often fluctuates due to political instability in the region and economic conditions in Western Europe.

Cyprus is divided between the two distinct cultures of Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
Each community maintains its own culture and there is little cultural interchange

There continues to be tension between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
Talks recently have led to better communication

Many Turkish Cypriots long to come out of international isolation and into
the economic prosperity enjoyed by the south.

Since 2006, the island has served as a safe haven for people fleeing Lebanon
because of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
Turkish Cypriots tend to be Muslim.
Greeks Cypriots tend to be Greek Orthodox.

Although both groups are free to meet and worship, evangelism is closely monitored.

The Cypriot Orthodox church is very influential and conservative.
Anyone who joins a different congreation faces much soical pressure.

Cypriot Muslims are moderate and many are highly secularized.
Only about 10% regularly attend prayer times at local mosques.
At the same time, many are very superstitious.

Despite secularization Turkish Cypriots have strong allegiance to their historic faith.
Only an extremely small number of Turkish Cypriot are Christians.
Most Turkish believers face pressure from their families.
There is harassment of those who choose to openly share their faith.

The Bible, Christian radio broadcasts, and the Jesus film are all available
in the Turkish language.

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that there be peaceful resolution to the political division of the island.

Pray that there be improvement in the economic situation for both south and north.
Pray that there be reconciliation between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots.
Pray that old grievances and bitterness be forgiven.
Pray for continued reduction of tension between Greeks and Turks
Pray that more communications takes place.

Pray for peace and friendship between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots.

Pray for protection for Turkish Christians, as well as for churches
to be able to operate freely.
Pray that the historic barriers to Christianity be broken down

Pray for revival and vitality in all churches both north and south.

Pray that Christians will befriend Turkish Cypriots.

Pray that God strengthen, encourage, and protect the small number
of Turkish Cypriot Christians.

Pray that the Gospel continue to spread
Pray that God will reveal Himself to people.