The Maronites of Cyprus

THE MARONITES OF CYPRUS 9 Venetian Era: In 1489 Cyprus became a colony of Venice and remained so for almost a century, until 1570. The harsh administration of the Venetians, in combination with the calamities that hit the island and the Muslim raids, were an impediment to the development and prosperity of the Maronites of Cyprus. Many Maronites were forced to convert to the Latin rite to survive, while others were persecuted. By the end of the Venetian Era, the number of Maronite villages had been reduced to 33. Ottoman Era: The Ottoman rule of Cyprus, beginning in 1570-1571, was a tremendous threat to the Maronite community. The Ottomans recognised the Orthodox Church as the only representative Christian Church on the island and persecuted the Maronites. In the face of the harshness of the Ottoman administration of Cyprus, a large number of Maronites were forced to either become Muslims or to join the Orthodox Church. Many Maronites became Linobambaki (Crypto-Christians), hiding their worship and holding onto the hope that the Ottomans would leave Cyprus. In 1572 there were approximately 8.000 Maronites in 23 villages; by 1686 there were only 150 Maronites in just eight villages (Asomatos, Ayia Marina, Kambyli, Karpasha, Khrysidha, Klepini, Kormakitis and Vouno). The Maronite Archbishop was forced to leave Cyprus for Lebanon, where the Maronite Archbishopric was relocated in 1673. As a result of the Archbishop’s departure, the island’s Maronite churches were under the jurisdiction of Franciscan priests between 1690 and 1759 and under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Kyrenia between 1759 and 1840. ● Rare photograph from Kormakitis square (early 1930s). The old Saint George’s church is visible in the background.