Latins of Cyprus_EN

THE LATINS OF CYPRUS 19 l The Apostolic Nunciature (Embassy) of the Holy See in Nicosia. A Latin Archbishopric and three Bishoprics were originally established in Cyprus in 1196, with a constant presence on the island throughout the Frankish (1192-1489) and the Venetian Eras (1489-1570). During these periods, various Latin Orders maintained an important presence in Cyprus and possessed large areas of land and numerous monasteries. After the Ottoman conquest of the island, the Latin Church was essentially dissolved and the new rulers restored the autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church as the only representative Christian Church on the island. Since then, the presence of the Latin Church on the island was limited to a few Franciscan and, for some time, Capuchin monks, while between 1629 and 1684 there was a Bishopric in Pafos. Since 1847, a resident Vicar General for Latins has been serving in Cyprus, who comes under the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. As of 1973, the Vicar General is ex officio the representative in Cyprus of the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See located in Tel Aviv. As of 1900, the Vicariate is housed in its own monastery in Nicosia. Other than the Vicar General, 11 other Latin priests serve today (four in Nicosia, three in Pafos, two in Limassol and two in Larnaka). There are local parish councils (Nicosia, Larnaka). The Latin Vicariate is supported by an annual grant from the government. Between 4 and 6 June 2010, the first Papal visit in Cyprus took place. During his visit, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI lodged at the Apostolic Nunciature (Embassy) of the Holy See, next to the Pafos Gate in Nicosia. The Latin Church of Cyprus