Religion in Cyprus

Religion in Cyprus is dominated by the Eastern Orthodox branch of Christianity, whose adherents make up 73% of the total population of the entire island. Most Greek Cypriots are members of the autocephalous Greek Orthodox 'Church of Cyprus'. Most Turkish Cypriots are officially Sunni Muslims. There are also Baháʼí, Catholic, Jewish, Protestant (including Anglican), Armenian Apostolic, Sikh and non-religious communities in Cyprus.

Religion in government-controlled area of Cyprus, 2021^[1]

1. Eastern Orthodox (74.5%)
2. Roman Catholic (1.50%)
3. Other Christian (1.75%)
4. Islam (2.12%)
5. Buddhist (0.85%)
6. Sikh (0.24%)
7. Other religions (0.67%)
8. No religion (1.04%)
9. Religion not stated (17.3%)

Religion on the entire isle of Cyprus (including the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus), 2010 Pew estimate^[2]

1. Christianity (73.2%)
2. Islam (25.3%)
3. Unafilliated (1.20%)
4. Other (0.30%)

Statistics

Religion in government-controlled territories of Cyprus (2011 and 2021 Census)^[3][4]

Religion	Citizens 2011		All inhabitants 2011		All inhabitants 2021
	Adherents	%	Adherents	%	Adherants	%
Christian Orthodox	650,215	97.43	748,610	89.08	688,075	74.52%
Roman Catholic	2,267	0.34	24,460	2.91	13,860	1.50%
Anglican/Protestant	1,387	0.21	16,974	2.02	9,621	1.04%
Maronite Church	3,656	0.55	3,800	0.45	4,486	0.49%
Armenian Church	1,803	0.27	2,453	0.29	2,025	0.22%
Muslim	2,492	0.37	15,279	1.82	19,534	2.12%
Buddhist	73	0.01	8,453	1.01	7,868	0.85%
Sikh					2,260	0.24%
Hindu	27	<0.01	1,528	0.18	1,681	0.18%
Other religion	1,829	0.27	4,112	0.49	4,545	0.49%
Atheist/no religion	1,062	0.16	5,357	0.64	9,591	1.04%
Not stated	2,587	0.39	9,381	1.12	159,835	17.31%
Total	667,398	100.00	840,407	100.00	923,381	100.00

Religion on the isle of Cyprus (2010, Pew estimate)^[2]

Religion	Adherents	%
Christians	810,000	73.2
Muslims	280,000	25.3
Unaffiliated	10,000	1.2
Hindus	<10k	<.01
Buddhists	<10k	<.01
Jews	<10k	<.01
Other Religions	<10k	<.01
Total	1,100,000	100.00

Christianity

Main article: Christianity in Cyprus

Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca

Agia Paraskevi Byzantine church in Yeroskipou

Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus

Main article: Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus

The largest and most important church in Cyprus, the Church of Cyprus, is an autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church within the Orthodox tradition using the Greek liturgy.^[5] It is one of the oldest Eastern Orthodox autocephalous churches, having achieved independence from the Patriarchate of Antioch in 431 AD.^[6] According to tradition, the first bishops in Cyprus were the apostles Lazarus (see Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca) and Barnabas, the latter of whom is identified by the Book of Acts as a Cypriot Jew.^[7][8] The same book names Cyprus as a destination for many early Christians fleeing persecution.^{[9][better source needed]}

The Church of Cyprus recognises the seniority and prestige of the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople, while retaining complete administrative autonomy under its own archbishop.^[5] Seven sacraments are recognised: baptism in infancy, followed by confirmation with consecrated oil, penance, the Eucharist, matrimony, ordination, and unction in times of sickness or when near death.^[5]

Many examples of classical Christian architecture are located in Cyprus, along with tombs said to belong to Lazarus and Barnabas. Cyprus is a place where many New Testament biblical stories took place^{[citation needed]} and several miracles are held to have been performed.^{[citation needed]}

Armenian Church in Cyprus

Main article: Armenians in Cyprus

The Armenian compound in Nicosia, featuring the Sourp Asdvadzadzin church

The presence of Armenians in Cyprus dates back to 578. Currently, Armenian-Cypriots maintain a notable presence of about 3,500 persons, mainly inhabiting the urban areas of Nicosia, Larnaca, and Limassol. Recently, some Armenian immigrants have settled Paphos.

The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus has had a continuous presence on the island since its establishment in 973 by Catholicos Khatchig I.

Catholic Church

Main article: Catholic Church in Cyprus

St.Charbel Maronite Catholic Church, Limassol

The Catholic Church in Cyprus is part of the worldwide Catholic Church under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. According to the 2011 census, Catholics made up 2.9% of the population.^[10] A minority of Catholics in Cyprus are Maronites (adherents of one of the Eastern Rite Catholics). Of the 209,286 Cypriots counted in the 1891 census, 1,131 were Maronites.^{[citation needed]}

Protestantism

According to the 2011 census, Protestants made up 2% of the population of the government-controlled area.^[10]

The Church of England established a presence in Cyprus at the advent of the protectorate itself in 1878,^[11] initially under the Diocese of Gibraltar.^[12] In 1976, the Cypriot portion of the church became the Archdeaconry of Cyprus, within the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf. As of 2024^[update], the jurisdiction is headed by Archdeacon Ven Christopher Futcher.^[13]

Northern Cyprus is home to a Turkish Protestant minority; the Turkish-Speaking Protestant Association (TPSA) estimates the community's numbers to be 1,000. According to the TPSA, Protestants are under continual surveillance by North Cypriot police.^[14]

Islam

Main article: Islam in Cyprus

Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque in Famagusta

Muslims make up about 1.8% of the population of the government-controlled area and around 25% of the population of the entire island. The island was conquered by the Ottoman General Lala Mustafa Pasha from the Venetians in 1570. From then until 1878, mainland Turks came to Cyprus as soldiers and administrators. Turkish Cypriots mainly adhere to the Sunni branch of Islam.

Sufism also plays an important role. Historically, Muslims were spread over the whole of Cyprus, but since the Turkish invasion in 1974 they have lived primarily in the north. Within the north there is also a small Ahmadi community.^[15]

Several important Islamic shrines and landmarks exist on the island, including:

• The Arabahmet Mosque in Nicosia (built in the 16th century)
• The Hala Sultan Tekke/Umm Haram Mosque in Larnaca (built in the 18th century)

Sikhism

Main article: Sikhism in Cyprus

There are about 13,280 or 1.1% Sikhs in Cyprus in 2021.^[16][17]

Hinduism

There were about 4,640 or 0.4% Hindus in Cyprus in 2015.^[18]

Buddhism

Main article: Buddhism in the Middle East

According to the 2011 census, Buddhists made up about 1% of the population. Of these, almost none held Cypriot citizenship.^[3]

Judaism

Main article: History of the Jews in Cyprus

Public menorah in Nicosia

Jewish presence in Cyprus dates back to the 3rd century BC, after settling on the island, they established trade relations with other religious groups.^[19] In 2022, there were approximately 6,000 Jewish people on the island,^[10] who were either permanent residents or citizens in Cyprus. There are active Synagogues in Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos and Ayia Napa with dedicated Rabbis to each. All religious matters are handled by the Chief Rabbinate of Cyprus, headed by Chief Rabbi Arie Zeev Raskin.

Kyrenia Synagogue (Turkish: Girne Sinagogu) has been in operation since 2008 and affiliated with Chabad movement.^[20] The synagogue functions as a Chabad house and the rabbi is the Chaim Hillel Azimov. In 2023 Azimov left Northern Cyprus due to fear of possible antisemitic attacks after the Hamas-Israel war.^[21]

Atheism and irreligion

According to a 2011 estimate, in the Greek-Cypriot government-controlled area, 0.6% of the people consider themselves irreligious or atheist.^[22] In 2018, the Cyprus Humanist Association accused Cyprus' Ministry of Education of discrimination against atheists by promoting anti-atheist educational material through its official website.^[23] During the 37th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the International Humanist Union listed Cyprus in their list of states accused of promoting hatred against atheists and humanists.^[24]

It's neither known how many percent of the population are atheists in the Turkish-Cypriot government-controlled area nor how they are treated in the northern part of the island.

Freedom of religion

In 2023, the country was scored 4 out of 4 for religious freedom by Freedom House, a U.S. government–affiliated body.^[25]

See also

• Religion in Northern Cyprus