“The pain of Cyprus is the pain of the whole Hellenism, whose hopes are based on you, because you are a young, dynamic and charismatic leader and the Lord will bless you to bring good days to the martyred Megalonisos».

With these words, the Archbishop of America Elpidophoros yesterday welcomed the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulidis, to the headquarters of the Archdiocese of America, as part of his first official visit to the USA as the elected leader of Cyprus.

The Archbishop of America congratulated the President of the Republic of Cyprus on his election and emphasized that it is a great honor and pleasure to welcome him together with his wife and his chosen colleagues in the Archdiocese.

For his part, Nikos Christodoulidis emphasized that he could not come to New York and not visit the Archdiocese of America, which has always played the most crucial role, being the connecting link for our diaspora and for our parish, both Greek and and Cypriot.

“We rely a lot on our diaspora, which constantly strengthens our effort to end the Turkish occupation and for the reunification of Cyprus as 49 years is too long” he continued.

After all, this effort, he emphasized, will only end when the blessed hour of reunification arrives.

For his part, Archbishop of America Elpidophoros noted the absolute commitment of the Archdiocese of America and the Greek-American community to support the struggle of the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the entire Cypriot people for a just solution of the Cypriot conflict, in accordance with all the resolutions of the Security Council of UN and International Law, which ensure basic freedoms and human rights for all.

Finally, Archbishop Elpidophoros and the President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulidis discussed the proposal of the Archdiocese to restore and renovate its Greek Cultural Center in Astoria, giving it the name “Home of Cyprus”.