THE
ARMENIANS
OF CYPRUS
19
l
The Armenian Prelature (2013).
The Armenian Prelature
The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus was established in
973 by Catholicos Khatchig I and has ever since
maintained a continuous presence on the island.
Historically, the Prelature has been under the
jurisdiction of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. There are
two parish priests, Fr. Momik Habeshian (Nicosia, 2000)
and Fr. Mashdots Ashkarian (Larnaca/Limassol, 1992).
The Prelature has its own premises (1984), next to
the Nicosia Nareg School and the Virgin Mary
cathedral. By initiative of Archbishop Varoujan
Hergelian, the basement of the Prelature was
renovated in 1998 and the multifunctional "Vahram
Utidjian" Hall took shape, named after its benefactor.
The Prelature’s consistory houses a collection of
ecclesiastical relics, some of which were previously
kept in the old Virgin Mary cathedral in Nicosia or
the Magaravank.
The Prelature’s Charter consists of 79 articles and,
in its present form, applies as of 2010. Administration
is exercised by the Armenian Ethnarchy (Azkayin
Ishkhanoutiun) through the Diocesan Council
(Yerespokhanagan Joghov) and the Administrative
Council (Azkayin Varchoutiun). There are also local
parish committees and ladies’ committees (Nicosia,
Larnaka, Limassol). The Prelature receives an annual
grant from the government.
