Where to find an Orthodox Church in Northern Cyprus?
Even if you are not a deeply religious Orthodox Christian, you will surely be interested to know that there is an ROC parish in Northern Cyprus!
ROC in Northern Cyprus
In the ROC hierarchy, there is a concept of the Orthodox Church Abroad. This is quite an extensive network of parishes in many countries around the world — from Europe to South America and even Haiti. The main parish is located in New York.
In Northern Cyprus, it is the parish of St. Spyridon of Trimythous, and they even have their own website (though the saint’s name is misspelled there, may God forgive them).
Church in Arapkoy
The main church of the ROC in Northern Cyprus is the Church of the Holy Virgin in the village of Arapkoy, which in the Greek tradition is called Klepini. The village is located some distance from Kyrenia, towards Çatalköy, and the exact location is marked on the map below the text.
The church was restored in 2019 with the help of local businesses with Russian roots. Caring locals from the Russian-speaking diaspora maintain the parish in good condition.
Services are held weekly — on Saturday at 17:00 (Vespers) and on Sunday at 10:00 (Divine Liturgy, confession, and communion).
Frequently Asked Questions about Christianity in Northern Cyprus
How many dioceses does the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad have?
The Russian Orthodox Church Abroad has a total of 8 dioceses: Eastern American and New York; Chicago and Mid-American; San Francisco and Western American; Montreal and Canadian; Australian and New Zealand; South American; London and Western European; Berlin and German.
What other Christian churches are there in Northern Cyprus?
The most famous are the Monastery of Apostle Andrew on the Karpas Peninsula, the Monastery of St. Barnabas with an icon museum, the Church of St. Phanourios, and the Church of St. Mamas in Güzelyurt. You can read about these and other churches in the article on Christian churches in Northern Cyprus.
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Author
Born and raised in Yekaterinburg, visited more than 40 countries, lived in the USA for some time, and in 2022, moved to Northern Cyprus. Education: Ural State University (now Ural Federal University), Faculty of Political Science and Sociology. Professional Experience: Since 2008, worked in the…