Cyprus restores permanent financial support for the Patriarchate of Alexandria

On July 30, 2026, the Cyprus Council of Ministers approved a decision to provide an annual financial grant of €75,000 to the Patriarchate of Alexandria. Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos announced the initiative, characterizing it as a tool of soft diplomacy intended to strengthen the ties of the Greek diaspora with their roots and cultural heritage.

This decision marks the formal restoration of a state-funded support program that had been suspended in 2013 due to the severe economic crisis in Cyprus at that time. According to Minister Kombos, the government has decided to establish this funding on a permanent basis moving forward. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will oversee the allocation of these funds as part of its ongoing efforts to support the missionary and religious work of the Patriarchate across Egypt and the African continent.

Foreign Minister Kombos emphasized that the Patriarchate of Alexandria plays a critical role in preserving Orthodox faith and maintaining the connection between overseas Greek communities and their cultural identity. The government acknowledges the historical significance of the Patriarchate, which has operated for over 2,000 years, and deems this investment vital for maintaining geopolitical and cultural influence in the region.