Christianity in Cyprus

[1] While recognising the seniority and prestige of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople, it has enjoyed complete administrative autonomy under its own Archbishop since the 5th century.[1] Under the British, there was an attempt to secularize all public institutions, but this move was bitterly opposed by Church authorities, who used the conflict with the colonial administration to gain leadership of the Greek nationalist movement in fighting for independence.[1] The church had long been composed of four episcopal sees: the archbishopric of Nicosia, and the metropolitanates of Paphos, Kition, and Kyrenia.[1] In the 20th century, modernizers, most notably Archbishop Makarios, were instrumental in strengthening the quality and training of priests at the Cypriot seminary in Nicosia.[1] By the 20th century many had long lain in ruins, but their properties were among the most important holdings of the church, the island's largest landowner.[1] Seven sacraments are recognized: baptism in infancy, followed by confirmation with consecrated oil, penance, the Eucharist, matrimony, ordination, and unction in times of sickness or when near death.[1] Formal services are lengthy and colorful, with chanting, incense, and elaborate vestments according to the occasion for the presiding priest.[citation needed] The wedding sponsors play an important role in the family, for they usually act as godparents of all children born of that union.[1] Church attendance among Greek Cypriots is relatively high, making the Republic of Cyprus one of the most religious countries in the European Union, along with Malta, Greece and Poland.[citation needed] For much of the population, religion centered on prayer at home, veneration of icons, and observance of certain feast days of the Orthodox calendar.The Prelature, which is housed on its own premises on Armenias street, Strovolos, Nicosia, next to Nareg School and the Virgin Mary church, has its own Charter and publishes the Keghart (Lance) newsletter.