Turkish Cypriot authorities banned the Epitaph Procession in the Holy Temple of Agios Georgios Exorinos in occupied Famagusta.

The Epitaph Procession was a ritual that was allowed in the past four years. However, Turkish Cypriot authorities decided that they will not give permission for the Epitaph Procession or any other liturgies in churches that did not perform the same rituals before 1974, the year of the Turkish invasion.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said he raised the issue at Wednesday’s meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and asked him why the banning of the Epitaph Procession.

“It is not enough for the Turkish side to speak of the need to adopt Confidence Building Measures and, on the other hand, to take measures that provoke the feelings of Greek Cypriots,” Anastasiades said.

Also, President Anastasiades referred to the recent decision of the occupation forces to naturalize Turkish nationals and said that this is “beyond any agreement,” adding that provocations need to stop if there is any willingness to build an atmosphere of confidence.

Greek Reporter

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