Limassol Metropolis Leads Relief Effort After Worst Wildfire in Cyprus’ Modern History
Church offers meals, shelter, and spiritual support as flames destroy homes, churches, and landscapes.
LIMASSOL — In the aftermath of the most devastating wildfire in Cyprus’ modern history, the Orthodox Metropolis of Limassol has mobilized to provide critical relief to survivors, many of whom have lost their homes, livelihoods, and places of worship. The fire, which has burned nearly 30,900 acres, claimed two lives, injured more than two dozen people, and reduced entire rural communities to ash.
His Eminence Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol announced that his Metropolis is distributing 1,000 meals daily - 500 at midday and 500 in the evening - in close coordination with Cyprus’ Civil Defense authority.
"As you can imagine, this is a large number of meals," he said. "It requires many people and many resources to make this happen. With God's help, the Metropolis will take on this entire effort."
Dozens of families have been left homeless, and the mountainous regions of Limassol Province have been heavily damaged. “Many of our brothers' homes were burned, cars, buildings, animals, trees, fields - everything burned,” the Metropolitan lamented.
Among the losses are three churches, including the complete destruction of the large Church of Saints Silouan and Sophrony of Mount Athos in Souni, which had been built just five years ago.
“It was completely destroyed - turned to ashes," Met. Athanasios said. "Nothing was left! Just a pile of stone."
Also lost were the chapels of St. Andrew in Souni and St. John the Russian in Vouni.
Archimandrite Philotheos of the Limassol Metropolis confirmed that in the surviving shell of these buildings, all sacred items were destroyed - only the outer walls remain. The icon screens, icons, wall paintings, and holy vessels are all gone.
Photo: Petros Karadjias/AP
Beyond food distribution, the Metropolis has opened its multipurpose Good Shepherd Center in Episcopi, offering air-conditioned shelter and full meals to 25 displaced individuals and their families, including infants. Relief efforts are being coordinated in full partnership with the Republic of Cyprus, Civil Defense, volunteers, and local communities.
The Cypriot Parliament has issued an urgent call for the immediate restoration of the affected areas and for state support to those who have lost everything.
His Eminence describe the once-beautiful countryside and wine villages of Limassol as having nothing left that resembles the "beautiful landscape we once had nearby."
Yet he ended with words of hope and faith: “Glory to God for all things! Blessed be the name of the Lord!”
