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August 6, 2026

Cyprus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday that it is implementing targeted initiatives in 2026 to support Christian and other communities, as well as ecclesiastical and community organisations, in countries across the region.

According to a statement by the Ministry, these initiatives are being carried out within the mandate of the Special Representative of the Republic of Cyprus for Religious Freedoms and the Protection of Minorities in the Middle East. “The measures provide practical support to Christian and other communities, as well as church and community institutions, while also promoting interfaith coexistence, social cohesion and projects of public benefit”, it said.

As part of this programme, it adds, a grant of €150,000 will be provided to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem for Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza, “an historic Orthodox site and refuge for civilians”. The funding will support repairs to the church, social and educational programmes, the creation of new school facilities, and the daily care of children, it said.

A one-off allowance of €20,000 has also been approved for Cypriot monks of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre serving in the Holy Land, including at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Monastery of Saint Gerasimos of the Jordan, and the Monastery of Martha and Mary in Bethany, it said.

The Ministry further announced financial support of €100,000 for the Patriarchate of Antioch and its humanitarian arm to rebuild a primary school in Syria’s Hama Governorate, attended by pupils from different religious communities, including Christians. The project is intended to contribute to sustainable recovery, strengthen the resilience of local communities and facilitate the safe return of displaced persons, it said.

In addition, €48,000 will be allocated to church and monastic institutions in Syria, including the Armenian Church of Damascus, the Armenian Church of Aleppo, the Patriarchate of Antioch, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo and Alexandretta, the Monastery of Saint Thecla in Maaloula, the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saidnaya, the Greek Orthodox Community of Saint George, and the Church of Saint Paul in Damascus. The funding will cover essential needs, including food, drinking water, medical care, basic living supplies, and the daily care of elderly people and children, the Ministry notes.

The Ministry also noted that, as part of its broader initiatives, it has provided financial assistance for the purchase of medical equipment for St Luke’s Orthodox Medical Association Clinic in Jordan, which is managed by the Greek Orthodox Church in Amman. Support has also been granted to the Armenian Church in Amman, under the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, for the restoration of Saint Karabet Church on the banks of the River Jordan.

In parallel, additional support measures for Christian and other communities in Iraq are currently under consideration, it said.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these initiatives contribute to preserving the historic character and the centuries-old Christian religious and cultural heritage of the region. It added that Cyprus “will continue to serve as a bridge for interfaith dialogue and cooperation in the Middle East, contributing to regional stability, peace and security”. Through the Office of the Special Representative, the Republic of Cyprus will continue, in cooperation with the competent church and local authorities, to promote initiatives that strengthen the sustainability and social development of communities throughout the region, it said.

Nicosia reaffirms support for the Patriarchate of Antioch during meeting in Damascus

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In the meantime, the President’s Special Representative for Religious Freedoms and the Protection of Minorities in the Middle East, Thessalia-Salina Shambos, had a meeting with Patriarch John X of Antioch, in Damascus.

According to a post by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X, Shambos was received by Patriarch John X of Antioch, in Damascus.

During the meeting, the longstanding close ties between the Patriarchate and Cyprus were reaffirmed, it said. The discussion also highlighted the Republic of Cyprus’ practical support for the implementation of specific initiatives aimed at strengthening the Patriarchate’s social and ecclesiastical work in Syria, it adds.