FACTS

The diachronic course of Armenians in Cyprus
Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra

NATION CREATION

• During the 8^th century B.C., from the tribes in the western part of the kingdom of Urartu, in the region of present-day Anatolia.

APPEARANCE IN CYPRUS

• In 578 Emperor Justin II during his campaign against Persian Chosroes II captured 10.090 Armenians, of which the ¹/₃ was transferred here.

OTHER TRANSFERS FROM
AND TO CYPRUS

• More Armenians arrived here during the reign of the Armenian-descended Emperor Heraclius (610-641), in relation to political motives.
• After the liberation of Cyprus, in 965, by Patrician Niketas Chalkoutzes, Armenians settle here as mercenary Frontiersmen.
• Between 1136-1138 the entire population of the city Tel Hamdoun is transferred here.
• In 1185 after the wedding of Isaac II Comnenus with the daughter of Thoros II, Armenian warriors arrive.
• In 1192 after an invitation by Guy De Lusignan.
• About 30.000 Armenians arrive when in 1322 the Saracens occupy little Armenia.
• More Armenians come in 1335 and in 1346, to escape the Mamluk attacks.
• In 1403 another 30.000 Armenians,
• while in 1421 the residents of Seihun migrate here.
• In 1441 Armenians and Syrians from Syria and Cilicia settle in Famagusta.
• A good many of the 40.000 Armenian craftsmen who helped with the capture of Nicosia by the Ottomans remained after 1570-1571.
• Armenians arrive during the first years of the British Era as entrepreneurs and translators.
• About 8.000 Armenian refugees find shelter in Cyprus from the horrific slaughters and the Genocide (1894-1896, 1909 & 1915-1923).
• Exodus after 1925 and between 1962-1965 to Armenia, between 1955-1959 & 1962-1965 to U.K.
• Armenians arrived in Cyprus as refugees from Palestine (1947) & Egypt (1956).
• Armenians also arrived here because of the civil war in Lebanon (1975-1990),
• the Revolution in Iran (1979)
• and the fall of the U.S.S.R. (1991).

VILLAGES THEY ESTABLISHED

• Armenokhori,
• Arminou,
• Kornokipos,
• Patriki,
• Platani,
• Spathariko maybe also Mousere.
• Later on many resided in the ARMENIAN QUARTER.

CHURCH ESTABLISHMENT

• Although we have officially evidence since 1179 (Thaddeus), it appears it was established in 973.

GENERIC OCCUPATION

• Initially mercenaries, knights and warriors,
• later on capable fief owners,
• after that nobles and merchants,
• afterwards businessmen and photographers, translators, doctors, advocates, professors, musicians, shoemakers, stamp makers, locksmiths, tailors, drapers, printers, watchmakers, miners, restaurateurs and merchants.

POPULATION

• Frankish Era: 30.000 - 60.000
• Venetian Era: 30.000
• Ottoman Era: 35.000, rapid reduction.
• 1881: 175,
• 1931: 3.400,
• 1960: 3.600
• 2008: 3.000-3.500

EDUCATION

• Nicosia
• 1870: Vartanantz School for Boys,
• 1902: Shushanian School for Girls,
• 1897-1904: Kurkjian Boarding School,
• 1921 & 1938: Melikian & Ouzounian Varjaranner, they were merged in 1950.
• 1972: Nareg.
• Larnaca
• 1909: Mousheghian Varjaran,
• 1996: new Nareg.
• Limassol
• 1928: Armenian School,
• 2007: new Nareg.
• Famagusta: school,
• Amiandos: nursery.
• Nareg Junior High School: 2005. Nicosia
• MELKONIAN: 1926-2005.

CHURCHES/MONASTERIES

• Sourp Asdvadzadzin - Virgin Mary (Acropolis),
• Sourp Stepanos - Saint Stephen (Larnaca),
• Sourp Kevork - Saint George (Limassol),
• Sourp Amenapergitch - Saviour of All (Acropolis),
• Sourp Haroutune - Resurrection (Ayios Dhometios T),
• Sourp Boghos - Saint Paul (Nicosia T).
• Sourp Asdvadzadzin - Virgin Mary (Nicosia),
• Holy Virgin of Ganchvor - the Caller (Famagusta),
• GARAVANK - SAINT MAKARIOS MONASTERY (Halevga).
• Armenian Evangelical Church (Nicosia)

CEMETERIES

• 1 at Ledra Palace
• 1 in Larnaca,
• 1 in Limassol,
• 1 in Ayios Dhometios,
• 1 in Ayii Trimithias,
• 1 in Famagusta
• + 1 protestant in Larnaca.

RELIGIOUS IDENTITY

• Oriental Orthodox Church with one Patriarch (Catholicos) in Etchmiadzin and one in Antelias.
• They are not Monophysites.
• The mass is celebrated in Armenian.
• Adoration is limited to the kissing the Gospel and the Cross.
• Instead of icons they have the Khackar (cross-stones).
• They have celibate and married priests, and the deacons are laymen.

PARTICULARITIES

• There many Libanahayer (Lebanese Armenians) in Cyprus
• and Hayastantsi (Armenians of Armenia).
• Very few Armenian Cypriots are Evangelicals, Catholics or Jehovah's Witnesses.

LANGUAGE/WRITING SYSTEM

• Their mother tongue is Western Armenian (Arevm'tahayeren),
• however they also speak Greek
• and English, and the older ones Turkish too.
• The Armenian alphabet was invented in 405 by Sourp Mesrob Mashtots and had 36 elements (+2 in the 11^th century).

ACTIVITIES

• Printed press: Artsagang - Echo, Azad Tzayn - Free Voice, Lradou, Keghart, electronic (Gibrahayer),
• Associations & Youth clubs (AYMA/DASHNAKTSUTIUN Vs AGBU-PAREKORDZAGAN/ RAMGAVAR, HENCHAGIAN),
• Athletic teams, Dancing groups, formerly scout Systems, hockey Team & Gaydzak,
• Kalaydjian Rest Home for the Elderly.
• Daily radio transmission from CyBC 2 between 17:00-18:00.

MONUMENTS

• Genocide Monuments (Nicosia & Larnaca & destroyed occupied Nicosia),
• Khachkar, Bishop Zareh's bust and Sourp Krikor Naregatsi's statue (Acropolis),
• monument of Krikor & Garabed Melkonian (Aglandjia),
• monument at Magaravank for the visit of Catholicos Sahag II
• Khachkar (Limassol)