Cyprus
POPULATION 767,314
EASTERN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN 78 percent
SUNNI MUSLIM 18 percent
OTHER 4 percent
Country Overview
Introduction
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and lies close to the southern coast of Turkey. It has had a turbulent history in which religion—particularly Eastern Orthodox Christianity—has played a pivotal role. The country is divided as a result of its invasion in 1974 by Turkish forces, which occupy 37 percent of Cypru'ss territory. In 1983 a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" was unilaterally declared; only Turkey recognizes it. The southern part of the country is called the Republic of Cyprus.
Religious Tolerance
Although Orthodoxy is predominant, the Cyprus constitution of 1960 guarantees freedom of religions whose teaching and rites are not secret. Discrimination on religious grounds is prohibited. The Orthodox Church administers its affairs according to the holy canons and its charter of 1914. Because of the inseparability of Greek Cypriot and Orthodox identity, any religion other than Orthodoxy is considered a betrayal, and foreign missionaries have occasionally experienced harassment. Jehovah's Witnesses in Cyprus have been criticized for their refusal to perform the obligatory military service.
Major Religion
Eastern Orthodoxy
DATE OF ORIGIN 45 C.E.
NUMBER OF FOLLOWERS 600,000
History
Christianity was introduced to Cyprus by the apostles Paul and Barnabas, who came to the Cypriot city of Salamis in about 45 C.E.
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