杏MAP导航 comes to listen to the heartbeat of the Cypriot Maronite community
By Christine Seuss and Benedict Mayaki, SJ
杏MAP导航 Francis set out on his 35th Apostolic journey on Thursday, visiting Cyprus for the first leg of his trip, and then Greece. The 5-day visit will see him visit Cyprus from 2-4 December, and then Greece from 4 -6 December.
In view of the Holy Father鈥檚 arrival in Cyprus, preparations have been underway to assure the success of the occasion. In an interview with Vatican News, Antonis Skoullos, the press coordinator for the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 visit to the Maronite community of Cyprus, reflects on the joy of having 杏MAP导航 Francis visit the country and the organizational challenges that come with the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 visit. Skoullos also speaks about the yearnings and aspirations of the relatively small Maronite Catholic community in the country.
Second 杏MAP导航 to visit Cyprus
杏MAP导航 Francis is the second 杏MAP导航 to visit Cyprus following the visit of Emeritus 杏MAP导航 Benedict XVI in 2010.
鈥淔or me, this is a dream-come-true, I would never imagine that I could live the dream twice in my life鈥� Skoullos said, recalling volunteering his services in 2010 during the visit of Benedict XVI and now again for 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥檚 visit.
He explains that his job of organizing with journalists and media personnel is challenging and complicated, but is enjoyable because 鈥渋t is unique鈥� and integrates many parts from the community, volunteers, the clergy, technocrats, the faithful and even children. All these have to work together to ensure a smooth-sailing visit of the 杏MAP导航.
The challenges of the Maronite Catholic community in Cyprus
Cyprus has close cultural, historical and religious ties with Greece that date back many centuries. Christianity in the two countries traces its roots to the Apostles who evangelized them. Cypriot Catholics make up 4.75% of the Country鈥檚 population and are predominantly of the Latin rite. The second-largest Catholic community are the Maronites who make up 1.5% of the population.
Skoullos recalls the rich heritage of the Maronite community which has been present on the island for over 1200 years. A culture and heritage, he says, that 鈥渨e must do our utmost to keep and forward to younger generations.鈥� He adds that the papal visit encourages the community to continue in its beliefs and to preserve its faith.
However, Skoullos points out that the Maronite community faces the threat of disappearing due to its small numbers in the face of the larger Greek Orthodox community. He notes that this situation is both 鈥渦nintentional and unconscious鈥� as it is natural for smaller communities to be assimilated by larger ones, however, the situation serves to underscore the importance of protecting the heritage of the centuries-old Maronite Catholic community.
杏MAP导航 Francis鈥檚 closeness
鈥淚 am sure the 杏MAP导航 already knows the story of the Catholic Maronites of Cyprus,鈥� Skoullos affirmed, adding that this is not the first time he is hearing of them.
鈥淗e knows what we go through, he knows our challenges. He's coming to witness them. He's coming to see it himself. He's coming to tell us by himself the message that he is here, he wants to listen and he will help us as much as possible to remain faithful to God, to Jesus and to remain next to the Catholic church forever.鈥�
Among the challenges faced by the Maronite community, Skoullos highlights the desire to return their villages, in the country鈥檚 north, in order to be able to better preserve their culture and identity.
鈥淲e want the 杏MAP导航 to really listen to our heartbeats and understand that we really need and we're looking for his aid and his help to realize our dreams,鈥� he said.
Skoullos concludes by holding up the motto for the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 visit: 鈥淐omforting each other in faith鈥� which, he affirms, 鈥渨as not set by chance鈥� but is one that 鈥渞eflects the diversity of Cyprus.鈥�
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