Opening of the Church of Panagia Soumela and Saint Paisios in Alethriko

On Saturday, October 10, 2026, the Holy Church of Panagia Soumela and Saint Paisios the Athonite was officially inaugurated in the community of Alethriko, Larnaca district. The ceremony marked the culmination of a twenty-year effort, described as a challenging project that symbolizes the preservation of historical memory for the Pontic community in Cyprus. The event began with the Matins service at 7:30 a.m., followed by the consecration of the Holy Altar and a multi-hierarchical Divine Liturgy.

The project originated from a 2006 initiative by the Panagia Soumela Relief Foundation for Pontic Greeks, aimed at establishing a spiritual landmark. The site honors the historical Monastery of Panagia Soumela, which was originally founded in 386 A.D. on Mount Mela in Trabzon and later moved to Mount Vermio in Greece following the Pontic Genocide. This new church serves as a tribute to the shared refugee history and the cultural heritage of the Pontic people, standing as a significant religious and cultural milestone for the region.