Archbishop Elpidophoros of America said this week that it was within the power of Cypriots themselves to accomplish peace for the divided island, in a message released ahead of the 45th commemoration of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on July 20.
“Violence only bears violence, and it is the duty of the powers and states located beyond the seas of Cyprus to negotiate with her and not intervene … The Cypriots can achieve peace on their own,” he said.
The Archbishop indicated that diaspora Greeks can also help in the Cyprus problem. “There is much that we can do as Americans through the government,” he stated.
“Not only as Orthodox brothers and sisters, but as simple people, we must pray for a just and timely solution for Cyprus,” he concluded.