MARONITE Archbishop Joseph Soueif yesterday delivered the first service in 36 years at the Church of Agia Marina Skylloura in the occupied north, in the presence of over 500 followers.

In his speech, Soueif described the day as “historic for all Maronites of Cyprus” and especially the Agia Marina residents, who he said had always expressed their desire to witness a service being carried out in their village church.

“My prayer today is of gratitude to God; a plea for just and continuing peace on our island,” said the Archbishop, adding his hopes for this historic service to be the start of a whole new era for Cyprus.

The Agia Marina church is at the centre of a military camp of the occupied forces, which was why entry in the area was carried out under draconian security measures. The authorities in the north had initially said they would allow up to 200 followers to attend the service, but they later conceded to allow up to 500.

Churchgoers underwent a lengthy process of registering their personal details, while their personal belongings were also searched.

They were driven to the church and back in buses provided by the army.

Reporters and cameramen were told that the area was strictly off-limits for cameras and were banned from filming the service.

A small alter was set up in the church, which has evidently been used as a storage area since the invasion, and the Agia Marina icon was transferred from the Agia Marina Kotsiatis Church.

Agia Marina Skylloura was built just two years before the 1974 Turkish invasion and is located at the centre of Agia Marina village.