More than 3000 people are expected to cross the ceasefire line, dividing Cyprus, to attend on Good Friday the Epitaph (Bier of Christ) liturgy at St. George Church Exorinos, in the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, on the eastern coast.

Speaking to CNA, Bishop of Constantia – Famagusta Vasilios said the fact that this service, the first Epitath liturgy since 1957, is actually taking place is a “miracle.” The service, he noted, will be aired live not only on local television but also on foreign media. The church was attacked during inter-communal strife in the early 1960s.

He also said it is a blessing for him personally to officiate the service. “It is a miracle, a blessing for me because the Epitaph service has great significance”, he said.

Bishop Vasilios said he hopes that everything will go well and there will be a solution for the issue of Famagusta “so we can return to the town and Famagusta will be alive once again”.

The Bishop said pilgrims have contributed towards purchasing holy items that will be used during the service.

“The contribution of the pilgrims is so great that it shows their desire to return is even greater”, said Vasilios.

He appealed to the pilgrims who will cross to the occupied north to present the best possible picture as the event has been greatly publicised. “I want to avoid giving the whole event a political dimension. All those attending should send the best possible message”, he added.

The epitaph will be transported to the north from the southern government controlled areas of the Republic and will be available for worship after 10am.

An announcement from Famagusta Municipality said that invitations have been sent to the leaders of the two communities as well as ambassadors and journalists. Pilgrims will attend the liturgy at Ayios Georgios within the Walled Town of Famagusta starting at 1700 and the Epitaph procession will follow within the Walled Town of Famagusta. Famagusta Municipality expects a large number of pilgrims to attend and is organizing buses from Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paralimni to take pilgrims to the church in the occupied north of Cyprus.

The town of Famagusta has been under Turkish occupation since the 1974 Turkish invasion. The fenced off area of the town, called Varosha, has remained uninhabited, abandoned to the elements. It remains to this day under the control of the Turkish military, in spite of repeated UN calls for its return to UN administration to enable the return of its lawful inhabitants. The walled city of Famagusta, close to the city port on the eastern coast, is inhabited by Turkish Cypriots and Turkish settlers