The church of Agia Paraskevi in the Turkish-occupied part of Kato Varosi needs complete restoration and maintenance as it is in a very bad condition, Archimandrite Avgoustinos Karas, chancellor of the Holy Bishopric of Constantia – Famagusta, told CNA.
He noted that for the first time in 2015, volunteers cleaned the church, which is one of the oldest in Varosha, but since then “the long wear of time and looting resulted in the collapse of the roof.”
He added that the Bicommunal Technical Committee of Cultural Heritage had visited and evaluated the monument and a study to restore it has already taken place.
In reply to a relevant question, the Archimandrite said that the Technical Committee cleaned both inside and outside the church, and work for its restoration will begin soon.
He said that some of the money will be provided by the Bicommunal Committee and the rest will be raised by former Famagusta residents through various events.
He explained that the church is in dire need of restoration, adding that “it is our sacred duty not to let our monuments be destroyed due to wear of time, even more so the ones in the occupied areas.”
