Social media has sparked heated discussions following the publication of a video showing a Christian church being converted into a cafe in occupied Cyprus.
Users expressed outrage and grief over the disrespectful attitude towards the religious monument. The footage shows how the Church of St. John of Jerusalem (Αγίου Ιωάννη Ναΐτη), located in the northern part of the island, was converted into a coffee shop. In the video, a man is arranging cushions and preparing seating right in the temple courtyard for visitors.
Many commentators noted that such actions demonstrate a disregard for the cultural and spiritual heritage of Cyprus. It is recalled that dozens of churches and monasteries in the occupied territories were previously damaged, looted or converted for other purposes after the Turkish invasion of 1974.
Cypriot social media users called on international organizations and UNESCO to pay attention to this case and take measures to protect religious monuments in the north of the island. In their opinion, turning a shrine into a commercial establishment is not just an act of disrespect, but a symbol of the loss of historical memory and cultural identity.
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Source: reporter.com.cy
