Rome, Jun. 14, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Orthodox Archbishop Chrysostom II of Cyprus told reporters that he had received assurances of Vatican support for his efforts to protect the Greek Orthodox Church in northern section of Cyprus, which is currently occupied by Turkey.
Archbishop Chrysostom spoke to reporters after a visit to the Vatican, where he met with Pope Benedict XVI. He said that he had received assurances of support in a subsequent talk with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
The Orthodox prelate traveled to Rome just before a trip to Moscow, where he will meet with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexei II. Before his trip to Rome, Archbishop Chrysostom had spoken openly about his hope to arrange a meeting between Patriarch Alexei and Pope Benedict.
For the Orthodox Church leadership in Cyprus, the status of the Church on the northern part of the island is an issue of intense concern. Greek Cypriots have complained frequently about the destruction of churches and discrimination against Orthodox believers in the Turkish-controlled territory.
The visit by Archbishop Chrysostom was the visit to Rome by a Cypriot Orthodox leader since Archbishop Makarios III made the trip in 1967.