The Maronites of Cyprus

THE MARONITES OF CYPRUS 11 The new favourable conditions facilitated the demo- graphic growth of the Maronite community and helped improve the quality of life of the Maronites. The com- munity developed culturally and socially, establishing organised groups, churches, associations and schools. In 1928 Kormakitis and Ayia Marina each established a Cooperative Credit Society, amongst the first in Cyprus. The Asomatos Co-Op followed in 1929, the Karpasha Co-Op in 1930. Today, only the Kormakitis Co-Op remains in operation. ● The Prophet Elias Monastery near Ayia Marina Skyllouras had for centuries been the Maronites’ spiritual centre (1945). ● Saint Marina’s church in Ayia Marina Skyllouras (2010). ● Saint George’s cathedral at Kormakitis square. ● From the restoration of the Virgin Mary church in Kambyli (1956). Independence Era: With the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960, Maronites were recognised as a religious group and were represented by an elected Representative in the Greek Communal Chamber. This was a result of the 1960 referendum in which they decided to belong to the Greek-Cypriot community, along with the Republic’s other two constitutionally recognised religious groups, the Armenians and the Latins (Articles 2 and 109 of the Constitution). The Maronites, according to Article 109 of