Nicosia, the principal cultural centre of the Armenian Cypriots.

The first Armenian school in Nicosia was built in 1887 with donations from Armenian communities in Egypt, France and England. In 1921 and again in 1938, with contributions from the Melikian and Ouzounian families, two new premises were built. The school continued to function under the name Melikian-Ouzounian until 1963, when it was taken over by the Turks after inter-communal fighting between the Greeks Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

With the help of the Cyprus government, a temporary school was constructed on the premises of the Melkonian Educational Institute, which was used until 1972 when, with a generous donation from the Cyprus government, a new fully equipped school was built on Armenia Street. This school is called "Nareg", as are the other two Armenian primary schools in Cyprus.

Armenian primary schools in Cyprus are all supported financially by the Cyprus government and act independently in matters such as the curriculum or internal organization.

CHURCH

The Armenian community in Nicosia lost its church and Prelature to the Turks in 1963. Finally in 1981, with the help of the Cyprus government, the World Council of Churches, certain European Churches and individual donations, a new church was built in Nicosia, the "Sourp Astvatsatsin".

The consecration ceremoney of the new Church of St. Asdvadzadzin was held on 22 November 1981.
It was attended by?His Holiness Catholicos Khoren I, and Karekin II of Cilicia, later to become the Catholicos of Sis [Antelias- Lebanon], followed by that of Etchmiadzin[ Armenia]. They were accompanied by the then Cyprus Bishop, Zareh Aznavourian, a gifted composer, writer and translator of the Bible into modern Armenian. Also present was Dr Antranig Ashdjian, the parliamentary representative of the Armenian community from 1970 to 1982. The church was built next to the "Nareg" school.

THE EX-MELKONIAN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE
The Melkonian Educational Institute WAS the largest boarding school for Armenians in the diaspora. It was built by two brothers, Krikor and Garabed Melkonian. The project started in 1924 and was finished in 1926. Of the two brothers, only Garabed Melkonian was fortunate enough to witness the completion.

In the beginning, it was an orphanage for Armenians who had survived the 1915-1923 genocide. Gradually, it turned into a world renowned secondary school. The school and its property of 16 buildings, football and basketball fields, a small forest and a large plot of land, belongs to the AGBU, which also subsidises the running of the school.

More than 1500 Armenians have graduated from the Melkonian over the years. Currently, 32 teachers instruct some 200 students from over 20 countries, ranging from the Middle East to North and South America

The Melkonian used to play a crucial role in the cultural, educational and athletic life of the Armenian Cypriots. In 2001, the school celebrated its 75th anniversary amid great pomp and celebrations, both in Cyprus and abroad.?In 2005 it was closed for good?, ith the decision of the AGBU CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS.