Armenian Cypriots

Armenian Cypriots

Կիպրահայեր (Armenian) Αρμένιοι της Κύπρου (Greek) Kıbrıs Ermenileri (Turkish)
Places of Armenian interest in Cyprus
Total population
c. 3,500
Regions with significant populations
Nicosia Larnaca Limassol
Languages
Armenian Greek
Religion
Christianity (Predominantly Armenian Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical minorities)
Related ethnic groups
Armenians in Greece, Armenians in Turkey, Armenians in the United Kingdom

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Subgroups
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Religion
Armenian Apostolic Armenian Catholic Evangelical Brotherhood Hetanism
Languages and dialects
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Persecution
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v t e

Armenian Cypriots (

.

Currently, Armenian Cypriots maintain a notable presence of about 3,500 on the island (including about 1,000 non-Cypriot Armenians),

.

History

Byzantine Era (578–1191)

Armenians have had a presence in Cyprus since the 6th century.

Latin Era (1191–1570)

After the purchase of Cyprus by titular

]

During the Middle Ages, Armenians in Cyprus were actively engaged in commerce, while some of them formed military garrisons in

]

Ottoman Era (1570–1878)

Magaravank

monastery (1967)

During the

]

In the

]

Gradually, after the bloody

British Era (1878–1960)

With the arrival of the British in July 1878 and their progressive administration, the already small Armenian community of the island was particularly strengthened. Known for their linguistic skills, several Armenians were contracted to Cyprus to work as interpreters and public servants at the consulates and the British administration, such as Apisoghom Utidjian. The number of Armenians in Cyprus significantly increased following the massive deportations, the massacres and the

and pompes into the Cypriot cuisine. Armenians also introduced two techniques of embroidery needlework: the Aintab work and the Marash work.

Law-abiding by nature,^[

Independence Era (1960–present)

The end of the EOKA struggle found Armenian-Cypriots having forged strong bonds with the rest of the Cypriots. The 1960 Independence brought a new era for the Armenians of Cyprus, who – together with the Maronite and Roman Catholics – were recognised as a "religious group" by the

better source needed

]

During the intercommunal

With the unfailing support of the government, the small yet industrious Armenian community of Cyprus gradually managed to recover from its losses and continued to prosper in the remaining urban areas, contributing culturally and socioeconomically to the development. On 24 April 1975, Cyprus became the first European country to recognise the Armenian genocide with Resolution 36/1975; two more resolutions followed, Resolution 74/1982 and Resolution 103/1990, with the latter declaring 24 April as a National Remembrance Day of the Armenian genocide in Cyprus. Over the past decades, the dynamics of the Armenian-Cypriot community have changed with the increased number of marriages with

Demography

There is no accurate information as to the number of Armenians living in Cyprus during the Byzantine Era. Although during the early Kingdom of Cyprus there were tens of thousands of Armenians living in Cyprus (mainly in Nicosia and Famagusta – where in the latter they numbered around 1,500 souls in 1360), by the late Frankish Era and certainly during the

Sinan Pasha, recorded 90–95 local Armenians in Nicosia, out of about 1,100 inhabitants – all with completely Hellenised names.

It appears that during the very first years of the Ottoman Era (1570–1878), about 20,000 of the 40,000 recruited Ottoman Armenians had remained in Cyprus. Their number, however, rapidly declined, due to the harshness and the oppression of the regime, the onerous taxation and the natural disasters: according to the Latin Bishop of Paphos, Pietro Vespa, in 1630 there were only 2,000 Armenians in Cyprus (out of a total population of 56,350 – mostly living in rural areas), as a great number emigrated elsewhere and many others embraced Islam or they became Linobambaki. Franciscan missionary Giovanni Battista da Todi recorded only 200 Armenians in Nicosia in 1647, while in 1660 he recorded over 300 Armenians on the island. Cardinal Bernardino Spada, representative of Propaganda Fide, also mentioned 200 Armenians in Nicosia in 1648, out of 3,000 inhabitants, also mentioning that their church was the largest in the capital, with 3 priests. Up until the mid-18th century, despite the limited arrival of Ottoman Armenians and Persian Armenians, their number was rather small. Russian monk Basil Barsky, who visited the island in 1727 and 1735, mentions "some Armenians" living in Nicosia. Visiting Cyprus in 1738, British traveller Richard Pococke mentions "very few Armenians, yet they have possession of an ancient church [in Nicosia]", while for the island as a whole he makes mention to "a small number of Armenians, who are very poor, though they have an Archbishop and a convent in the country". However, by the time Italian Abbot Giovanni Mariti visited Cyprus in 1760 and 1767, they had apparently become "the richest section of the inhabitants [of Nicosia]", which is why thought "there are many Armenians [on the island]". By the mid–19th century, following various waves of Hellenisation and Turkification, the number of Armenian-Cypriots ranged between 150–200.

When the Scot John MacDonald Kinneir visited Cyprus in 1814, he estimated about 40 Armenian families in Nicosia (around 200 persons) – out of a total of 2,000 families (about 10,000 persons), as did British Consul Niven Kerr and Greek Vice-Consul Demetrios Margarites in 1844 and 1847, respectively. The first large-scale Ottoman census in 1831, under the supervision of Muhassil (governor) Halil Effendi, counted 114 non-Muslim males in the Armenian quarter of Nicosia and 13 at the Armenian Monastery (with a total male population of 45,365). Therefore, the number of Armenians in Cyprus would have been around 200 (out of a total of about 88,500). Visiting Cyprus in 1835, American missionary Rev. Lorenzo Warriner Pease writes "the number of Armenians [in Nicosia] is between 30 and 40 families". In 1841, about 200 Armenians lived on the island (out of a total of 108,600), of whom about 150-160 resided in Nicosia (with a population of 12,000) – according to the record of population by Muhassil Talât Effendi and the writings of French historians and travellers Louis Lacroix and Count Louis de Mas Latrie. The Latin Vicar General Paolo Brunoni also mentioned 200 Armenians in Nicosia in 1848, as well as some others at the Magaravank. In 1874 Belgian traveller Edmond Paridant-van der Cammen estimated 190 Armenians in Nicosia (out of a total of 13,530). Although unreliable for the Armenian population of Nicosia (mentioning only 20 families in 1875), researcher Philippos Georgiou recorded 6-8 Armenian families around the Magaravank and 5 Armenian families in Larnaca. In 1877, newly arrived priest Hovhannes Shahinian recorded 152 Armenians living in Cyprus, while the first modern population census of Nicosia, carried out in 1879 by the District Commissioner, Major-General Sir Robert Biddulph, counted 166 Armenians – out of a total of 11,197 inhabitants.

The British colonial censuses that took place between 1881 and 1956 provide us with fairly accurate data on the Armenian population of Cyprus. The following numbers are the combined figures of those recorded as Armenians (by religion) and those recorded as speakers of Armenian: in 1881 there were 201 Armenians in Cyprus (of whom 174 belonged to the "

. In 1911 there were 611 Armenians in Cyprus (of whom 549 were "Gregorians" and 9 "Armenian Catholics"), while in 1921 their number rose to 1,573 (of whom 1,197 belonged to the "Armenian Church") and to 3,617 in 1931 (of whom 3,377 were "Armenian Gregorians"), as a result of the huge wave of refugees from the Armenian genocide.

In 1935 the Armenian Prelature recorded 3,819 Armenians in Cyprus: 102 were "native Cypriots" (mainly residing in Nicosia), 399 resided at the Melkonian Educational Institute, while 3,318 were "refugees", i.e. genocide survivors and their descendants; of those, 2,139 lived in Nicosia, 678 in Larnaca, 205 in Limassol, 105 in Famagusta, 58 in Amiandos, 25 in Lefka, 20 in Kalo Khorio (Lefka), 18 in Pano Lefkara, 17 around the Magaravank, 5 in Kyrenia, 4 in Paphos and 44 in various villages. In 1946 there were 3,962 Armenians in Cyprus (of whom 3,686 were "Armenian Gregorians"), while in 1956 they numbered 4,549.^[8]

The last accurate census of the population of Cyprus with regard to its ethnic breakdown was carried out in 1960; it recorded 3,628 Armenians in Cyprus (of whom 3,378 were "Armenian Gregorians"). In 1978 and 1987 the Armenian Prelature recorded the Armenian population of Cyprus, which was 1,787 and 2,742, respectively (however, without extra information regarding their geographical distribution).

Since then, their number has increased; currently, about 3,500 Armenians live in Cyprus: 65% live in the capital, Nicosia, 20% in Larnaca, 10% in Limassol and 5% in Paphos and some villages. Over 95% of the Armenian population of Cyprus speak Armenian and are

(ներգամթ – repatriation) Panarmenian movement.

According to available information, the about 1,000 refugees from the Hamidian massacres (1894–1896) mainly originated from

Politics

Armenian-Cypriots have been politically organised since the late 19th century. The breakdown below examines their involvement in local administration, Cypriot politics and Armenian politics.

Local administration

With regard to local administration, the Armenian participation has been limited. Traditionally, there is the appointed mukhtar of Nicosia's Karaman Zade quarter (the Armenian Quarter). So far, there have been 4 mukhtars: Melik Melikian (1927–1949), Kasbar Delyfer (1949–1956), Vahe Kouyoumdjian (1956–2009) and Mgo Kouyoumdjian (2011–today). Bedros Amirayan served as an appointed member of Famagusta's municipal committee (1903–1905), Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian served as an appointed municipal councillor and, later on, Vice Mayor, for Nicosia (1964–1970), while Berge Kevorkian served as an appointed municipal councillor for Nicosia (1970–1986).

Cypriot politics

With the exception of the elected Representatives, so far there has been only one Armenian-Cypriot MP in the

in February 2008, Marios Garoyian was voted Speaker of the House of Representatives on 6 March 2008, the second highest political position in Cyprus. He was re-elected as an MP for Nicosia District on 22 May 2011 and he served as House Speaker until 2 June 2011.

Armenian politics

Despite its relatively small size, the Armenian-Cypriot community has been an active participant in Panarmenian politics already since the late 19th century, even though this became more established in the mid-20th century. All three major Armenian Diaspora parties are active in Cyprus, especially

.

ARF Dashnaktsoutiun is affiliated with the

, who had been a professor at the Melkonian Educational Institute between 1926–1934.

The

, affiliated with ADL Ramgavar. Both organisations lost a substantial number of followers, when they "repatriated" to Armenia between 1962–1964, as part of the nerkaght (ներգաղթ – repatriation) movement and when they realized that what was promised was not real.

The youngest Armenian political party in Cyprus is SDHP Hunchakian, which was set up on the island in 2005, following the split within the AGBU, which was brought about by the decision to close the Melkonian Educational Institute. It must be noted, though, that as Cyprus was frequently used as a stepping stone for some European Armenian fedayees who had Asia Minor and Cilicia as their final destination during the late 19th century and the early 20th century, a small number of the party's members temporarily stayed on the island during those times. SDHP Hunchakian is affiliated with the Nor Serount Cultural Association in Nicosia.

The Armenian-Cypriot community has been actively engaged in Panarmenian issues, such as the organisation of demonstrations and other forms of protest on matters that pertain to all Armenians. Other than promoting awareness and recognition of the Armenian genocide, which is more extensively examined below, the Armenian-Cypriot community has been lobbying successfully in favour of the

's memory, organised every year since his murder in 2007.

Finally, in recent years the Armenian-Cypriot community has been providing financial and humanitarian aid to Armenians in need around the world: it has provided assistance to earthquake-stricken Armenians in Armenia, after the 1988 earthquake, to orphans in Nagorno-Karabakh, to Armenians in Lebanon, Armenians in Greece and Armenians in Syria, as well as to Armenians in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, through the "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund.

Armenian genocide recognition

On the level of the ordinary people, most Cypriots are aware of the great calamity the Armenian nation suffered during 1894–1923 and have always been supportive and sympathetic towards Armenians; the Armenian genocide refugees who remained in Cyprus were in the unique position of escaping from Ottoman Turks and living amicably amongst Turkish-Cypriots.

Cyprus has been one of the pioneering countries in recognising the Armenian genocide, when on 25 January 1965 Foreign Minister

Cyprus was also the first European country (and the second world-wide, after Uruguay) to officially recognise the Armenian genocide. On 24 April 1975, after the determined efforts and the submission by Representative Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian, Resolution 36 was voted unanimously by the House of Representatives. Representative Aram Kalaydjian was instrumental in passing unanimously through the House of Representatives two more resolutions regarding the Armenian genocide: Resolution 74/29–04–1982, submitted by the Foreign Relations' Parliamentary Committee, and Resolution 103/19–04–1990, submitted by all parliamentary parties. Resolution 103 declared 24 April as a National Remembrance Day of the Armenian genocide in Cyprus.

Since 1965, when Cypriot government officials started participating in the annual Armenian Genocide functions, Cyprus' political leaders are often keynote speakers in those functions organised to commemorate the Armenian genocide. Over the last years, there is usually a march starting from the centre of Nicosia and ending at the

; other events also take place, such as blood donations.

Social life

The Armenian-Cypriot community has traditionally had an active and structured social life. Various charity, cultural, educational and social events are organised, such as fund-raisers/bazaars, art/book exhibitions, dancing/theatre performances, balls, lunches, film screenings, camps/excursions in Cyprus and abroad (panagoum), as well as lectures and commemoration ceremonies regarding Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian Diaspora and the Armenian genocide.

The main venue for community events is the AYMA club and the "Vahram Utidjian" Hall, at the basement of the Armenian Prelature building, both in

hall.

Notable organisations

• Virgin Mary church in Strovolos, Nicosia, on land leased by the government (Decision of the Council of Ministers 21.188/17–12–1981), and were inaugurated on 30 May 1987 by President Spyros Kyprianou. There is a well-organised library room at the club house. Its renovated and expanded functions hall was inaugurated on 28 February 2010 by Representative Vartkes Mahdessian
  . AYMA is affiliated with the Homenetmen Panarmenian organisation.
• Armenian Youth Federation of Cyprus [Կիպրոսի Երիտասարդական Միութիւն (Gibrosi Yeridasartagan Mioutiun), 1977]. It edifies children, teenagers and young adults.
• Armenian Relief Society of Cyprus [Հայ Օգնութեան Միութիւն (Hay Oknoutian Mioutiun), also known as HOM (ՀՕՄ), "Sosse" chapter, 1988]. It is a women's charity organization, which sends help to Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian Diaspora and local charity organisations.
• Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association of Cyprus [Համազգային Հայ Կրթական եւ Մշակութային Միութիւն (Hamazkayin Hay Grtagan yev Mshagoutayin Mioutiun), "Oshagan" chapter, 1999]. It organizes various cultural events, such as dance and theatre performances, art exhibitions, lectures etc.

Legal status and representation

With the Independence of Cyprus, on 16 August 1960, under Article 2 § 3 of the Constitution, Armenians, and Catholics (both Marionite and Roman Catholic) were recognised as "religious groups". In the referendum held on 13 November 1960, all three religious groups opted to belong to the co-religious Greek-Cypriot community (as it was expected), something which consequently defined their political options in the game of inter-communal controversy and somewhat affected their relations with the Turkish-Cypriots, who in turn viewed them as an extension of the Greek-Cypriot political choices. This is why the religious groups were affected similarly during the crisis of 1963–1964 and the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.^{[citation needed]}

Article 110 § 3 recognises the administrative autonomy of the religious groups' Churches, as it was established with the

. Law 95/1989 transferred the jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical courts to the family courts, the configuration of which was defined by Law 87(I)/1994; of the three religious groups, only the Armenians participate in their workings.

In accordance with the provisions of Article 109 of the Constitution, Armenian-Cypriots were given political representation: as a result of their choice to belong to the Greek-Cypriot community, an Armenian and a Latin participated in the Nicosia members of the Greek Communal Chamber, while a Maronite participated in the Kyrenia members (Colonial Law 36/1959, Colonial Law 6/1960 and Greek Communal Chamber Law 8/1960). The two Communal Chambers, which acted as a Lower Parliament, had jurisdiction over all religious, educational, cultural and other affairs of communal nature (Article 87).

With the end of Turkish Cypriot representation in the common state in 1963 and the self-dissolution of the Greek Communal Chamber in 1965, it was decided to transfer the executive powers of the Greek Communal Chamber to the newly formed Ministry of Education and its legislative powers to the House of Representatives (Law 12/1965). According to the Decision of the Council of Ministers 4.907/29–07–1965, it was decided that the three Representatives would provisionally continue to represent their communities in the House on issues pertaining to the jurisdiction of their Chamber and that the House was to request their opinion before legislating on pertinent matters (Law 12/1965). In order to approximate the tenure of the other MPs, the term of the three Representatives was annually extended (Law 45/1965, Law 49/1966, Law 50/1967, Law 87/1968 and Law 58/1969). The status of the three Representatives in the House of Representatives was confirmed with Law 58/1970 and furthermore specified with Law 38/1976, Law 41/1981 and Law 66(I)/2011. Since 1991, the elections for the three Representatives have been held simultaneously and in parallel with the general parliamentary elections and the Representatives' term is identical with that of the proper MPs (Law 70/1986).

The Representatives act as liaisons between their communities and the state and they are par excellence competent to bring before the state all issues relating to their group. Their participation has a 5-year duration and a consultative character, as although they can express their views on matters relating to their group, they do not have the right to vote. Especially in the case of the Armenians, the Representative delivers a speech about the Armenian genocide during the plenary session of the House convened on or near 24 April each year. So far, six (6) Armenian Representatives have served: Berge Tilbian from Nicosia (1960–1970), Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian from Nicosia (1970–1982), Aram Kalaydjian from Larnaca (1982–1995), Bedros Kalaydjian from Larnaca (1995–2005), Dr. Vahakn Atamyan from Nicosia (2005–2006) and Vartkes Mahdessian from Nicosia (2006–today).

Since 1998, the elected Representative is ex officio member of the Diocesan Council (Թեմական Ժողով) of the Armenian Ethnarchy (Ազգային Իշխանութիւն).

Elections

The first elections for the Armenian member of the Greek Communal Chamber took place on 5 August 1960 between Vahram Levonian and Berge Tilbian, who was elected after receiving 60.49% (1,364 votes). Between 1965–1970, the term of office for the Armenian, the Maronite and the Latin Representatives was extended by special laws, until Law 58/1970 was enacted, properly including them in the House of Representatives. The second elections were held on 19 July 1970 between Berge Tilbian and Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian, who was elected after receiving 56.30% (590 votes); Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian was re-elected on 3 October 1976, with Aram Kalaydjian as his opponent, after receiving 50.96% (612 votes).

The next elections were held on 14 March 1982 between Dr. Antranik L. Ashdjian and Aram Kalaydjian, who secured 58.36% (771 votes); Aram Kalaydjian was re-elected on 13 July 1986, with Anna Ashdjian as his opponent, after securing 65.08% (792 votes), and again on 19 May 1991, again winning over Anna Ashdjian and receiving 67.00% (875 votes). Because of Aram Kalaydjian's death on 10 September 1995, a by-election was held on 22 October 1995, between Kevork Mahdessian and Bedros Kalaydjian, who won with 60.34% (849 votes). Bedros Kalaydjian was re-elected on 26 May 1996, securing 73.91% (997 votes) against Anna Ashdjian and again on 27 May 2001, receiving 57.13% (857 votes) against Dr. Garabed Khatcho-Kazandjian.

Because of Bedros Kalaydjian's death on 1 September 2005, a by-election was held on 9 October 2005, with Dr. Vahakn Atamyan receiving 52.03% (769 votes) against Dr. Antranik Ashdjian (43.91%) and Parsegh Zartarian (4.12%). The next elections took place on 21 May 2006, with Vartkes Mahdessian receiving 52.60% (899 votes) against Dr. Vahakn Atamyan. The most recent elections were held on 22 May 2011, with Mahdessian securing 67.67% (1,105 votes) against Dr. Antranik Ashdjian.

Although not elected, the Armenians in Nicosia also have a mukhtar, appointed by the Ministry of Interior. The first mukhtar was Melik Melikian (1927–1949), succeeded by Kasbar Delyfer (1949–1956) and Vahe Kouyoumdjian (1956–2009). As of 1 January 2011, the current Armenian mukhtar is Mgo Kouyoumdjian.

Religion

Like most communities of the Armenian Diaspora, the Armenian-Cypriot community is predominantly

.

Armenian Prelature of Cyprus

The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus was established in 973 by Catholicos Khatchig I. Historically, the Prelature has been under the jurisdiction of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, while today it is the oldest theme that falls under its jurisdiction. Since 2014 the Prelate, a Catholicosal Vicar General, has been Archbishop Nareg Alemezian. The parish priest in Nicosia is Fr. Momik Habeshian, while the parish priest in Larnaca and Limassol is Fr. Mashdots Ashkarian. For centuries, the Prelature building was located within the Armenian compound in Victoria street in walled Nicosia; when that area was taken over by Turkish-Cypriot extremists in 1963–1964, the Prelature was temporarily housed in Aram Ouzounian street and, later on, in Kyriakos Matsis street in Ayios Dhometios. Thanks to the efforts of Bishop Zareh Aznavorian and with financial aid from the Evangelical Church of Westphalia, the new Prelature building was erected in 1983, next to the Sourp Asdvadzadzin church and the Nareg school in Nicosia, by architects Athos Dikaios & Alkis Dikaios; it was officially inaugurated on 4 March 1984, during the pastoral visit of Catholicos Karekin II. By initiative of Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, in 1998 the basement of the building was renovated and the "Vahram Utidjian" Hall was formed; previously a store room, it became a reality from the proceeds of the auction in 1994 of the art collection that Vahram Utidjian had donated to the Prelature in 1954. It was inaugurated on 3 February 1999 by Catholicos Aram I; numerous charity, communal and cultural events take place there. The Prelature's consistory houses a collection of ecclesiastical relics, some of which were previously in the old Notre Dame de Tyre church or the Magaravank.

Armenian Evangelical Church

The first Armenian Evangelicals in Cyprus came after the arrival of the British in July 1878. As they were not committed, and very few, they quickly became associated with the Armenian Apostolic Church. With the influx of more

chapel until 1973. After nearly 30 years of inactivity, by initiative of Nouvart Kassouni-Panayiotides and Lydia Gulesserian and with the help of Hrayr Jebejian, Executive Secretary of the Bible Society in the Gulf Armenian Evangelicals were re-organised at the Greek Evangelical church in Larnaca in 2002. Since 2005, when Hrayr Jebejian moved to Cyprus, services are held every few months at the Greek Evangelical church in Nicosia. Also, the Armenian Evangelical Church organizes a few lectures in Nicosia.

Armenian Catholic Church

Armenian-Catholics first came to the island during the

that the Armenian-Catholic community increased in number, due to the arrival of a large number of refugees from the Armenian genocide. In 1931, there were about 200 Armenian-Catholics in Cyprus most of them became attached to the Latin places of worship, especially the Holy Cross cathedral in Nicosia and Saint Joseph's convent in Larnaca; between 1921-1923, the latter housed a small Armenian-Catholic school, run by Abbot Jean Kouyoumdjian - who served at the convent between 1921-1928. In 1960, there were less than 100 Armenian-Catholics. However, their number decreased in the following years, due to emigration to other countries and assimilation with the Armenian-Cypriot, the Latin-Cypriot and/or the Greek-Cypriot community. However, due to the influx of Lebanese-Armenians to Cyprus since the mid-1970s, there has been a small increase in the number of Armenian-Catholics on the island. Currently, local Armenian-Catholics are less than 20, in addition to about 30 foreign Armenians.

Places of worship

Virgin Mary cathedral, Nareg Armenian school and the Armenian Genocide Monument in Nicosia

There are five Armenian Orthodox churches in Cyprus, two in the capital Nicosia (one in the north) and one in each Larnaca, Limassol and Famagusta. Additionally, there are three Armenian chapels in the vicinity of Nicosia and one within the Magaravank complex, the latter in the north. There is also an Armenian Evangelical church in North Nicosia. Finally, there is the renowned Magaravank in the north.

Education

Armenians have always attached particular emphasis in education, which – in conjunction with the Church – is the foundation for the preservation of their national and cultural heritage. Armenian schools teach Armenology, which includes Armenian history and traditions, ensuring the perpetuation of Armenianism from generation to generation.

Monuments

The Armenian-Cypriot community has several historical monuments, including the Armenian genocide Monument in Nicosia and a

.

The Armenian quarter of Nicosia

The original Armenian quarter (13th - late 15th/early 16th century) may have been located in the eastern part of Frankish Nicosia and that Armenians acquired their new quarter within the 16th century. After the conquest of the city in 1570, the Ottomans renamed the extant Armenian quarter to "Karamanzade mahallesi" (literally: quarter of the son of Karaman), in honour of one of the Generals who took part in the

quarter.

After the

Venetian walls

at the end of Victoria street.

The heart of the Armenian quarter was Victoria street (Վիքթորիա փողոց/οδός Βικτωρίας/Viktorya sokağı), in which the Armenian compound was located, as well as many houses and, at a later time, the AGBU club house; at times, AYMA's club house was there as well. Victoria street was the road that every Armenian-Cypriot would walk on to go to church, to school, to the clubs, to visit family, relatives and friends etc. One could see all the time Armenian-Cypriots walking around the narrow streets amidst a profusion of Oriental smells and a chatter in Armenian. The street, full of beautiful

Arab Ahmed Pasha mosque

, having Mahmoud Pasha street as its extension (where the American Academy Nicosia was between 1922-1955 and the Armenian Evangelical church since 1946). As it was a one-way street, traffic was only allowed from the north to the south.

During the Cypriot intercommunal violence, a large part of the Armenian Quarter of Nicosia was gradually taken over by Turkish Cypriots between 21 December 1963 and 19 January 1964. Most Armenian-Cypriots left their homes during this time, while other families stayed for a longer period in tents at the grounds of the Melkonian Educational Institute.

The Armenian quarter was also home to many Turkish Cypriots, as well as some Greek-Cypriots, Maronite-Cypriots, Roman Catholic Cypriots and British nationals.

Notable personalities

• Catholicos of Cilicia
  between 1963–1983.
• Levon Chilingirian (1948- ), a violinist, conductor and music professor at the Royal College of Music who thrives in London, United Kingdom.
• House of Representatives of Cyprus
  (2008–2011).
• Nouritza Matossian (1948- ), a writer, actress, broadcaster and human rights activist who thrives in London, United Kingdom.
• Benon Sevan (1937- ), once the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations (1992–2005) and the Head of the Oil-for-Food Programme (1996–2005). He lives in Nicosia.
• Nora Nadjarian (1966- ), poet.
• Ara Bedrossian (1967- ), former football player.
• Hovig Demirjian (1989- ), singer.
• NFL Miami Dolphins
  .

Timeline

Magaravank

until the early 20th century

• 578 AD: The first documented presence of Armenians in Cyprus.
• 610–641: Some Armenians arrive during the reign of Armenian-descended
  Byzantine Emperor Heraclius
  for political reasons.
• 717–728: Some Armenians arrive during the pontificate of Catholicos Hovhannes Odznetsi for commercial reasons.
• 965: More Armenians arrive after the liberation of Cyprus from the Arab raids by patrician Niketas Chalkoutzes for military reasons.
• 973: Catholicos Khatchig I establishes the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus in Nicosia.
• 1136–1138:
  Tell Hamdun
  to Cyprus.
• 1185: Byzantine Duke
  Thoros II
  .
• 1267: Several Armenians flee to Cyprus after the Fall of Jerusalem.
• 1291: Many Armenians arrive in Cyprus after the
  Fall of Acre
  .
• 1309:
  Sis
  .
• 1322: 30,000 Armenians escape to Cyprus after the Saracen attacks on Cilicia.
• 1335 and 1346: A new wave of Armenian refugees arrives in Cyprus after the Mameluke attacks on Cilicia.
• 1403 and 1421: Thousands of Armenians arrive in Cyprus after the Ottoman conquest of Cilicia.
• 1441: Some Armenians from Cilicia are encouraged to settle in Famagusta.
• May 1571: The Notre Dame de Tyre or Tortosa church is officially granted to the Armenians of Nicosia by a firman.
• July 1821: Amongst the 470 executions by the Ottomans is the Armenian priest of Nicosia, der Bedros.
• 1894–1896: The
  Aintab and Kilis
  .
• 1909: The
  Adana province
  , resulting in 30,000 deaths. About 2,000 Armenians flee to Cyprus; almost all of them return within the year.
• 1915–1923:
  Aintab
  .
• 1916–1918: The Armenian Legion is formed and trained in Monarga, near Boghazi, consisting of over 4,000 Diasporan Armenians, who later fought the Ottoman Empire.
• 17 November 1953: Transmission of the first Armenian broadcast on CyBC radio.
• 8 March 1957: Arson of the Ganchvor church by extremist Turkish-Cypriots.
• 16 August 1960: Cyprus gains its Independence; Armenians are recognised as a "religious group" by the Constitution.
• 13 November 1960: Armenian-Cypriots opt in the referendum to belong to the Greek-Cypriot community.
• 15 July 1961: Limassol's Mayor Costas Partassides delivers the golden key of the Limassol Armenian cemetery to Mihran Bastadjian, Chairman of Limassol's Armenian church committee
• 24 April 1975: Recognition of the
  House of Representatives
• 10 December 1979: Strovolos Improvement Board renames Cyclops street into Armenia street. The street sign is officially placed on 15 January 1980.
• 19 April 1990: The
  House of Representatives
  recognises 24 April as National Remembrance Day for the Armenian genocide.
• 24 April 1991: Official presentation of the new
  Virgin Mary church in Strovolos
  , Nicosia.
• 1 December 2002: Armenian is recognised as a minority language in Cyprus.
• 24 November 2006: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan lays the foundation stone for the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Larnaca.

See also

• Armenia–Cyprus relations
• Armenians in Greece
• Armenians in Turkey
• Armenians in the United Kingdom
• Armenian diaspora
• Languages of Cyprus

Notes

• PIO Booklet "The Armenians of Cyprus"
• PIO Booklet "Οι Αρμένιοι της Κύπρου"
• Book on the Armenians of Cyprus
• Brochure on the Armenians of Cyprus
• The Armenian-Cypriot community (article in Greek)
• The Armenian education in Cyprus (CHRONICLE in Greek)
• The Republic of Cyprus and the Religious Groups (book in Greek)
• Presentation on the Armenian-Cypriot community (in Greek)
• Armenians in Cyprus (schools, churches, clubs)
• Information on the Armenians of Cyprus Archived 31 October 2019 at the Wayback Machine

References

External links

• cyprusarmenians.com Cyprus Armenians site

Video documentaries

• The Armenians in Cyprus (English)
• Οι Αρμένιοι στην Κύπρο (Greek)