Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-07-17

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

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[01] Agia Marina - Pilgrims

1350:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Agia Marina - Pilgrims

Today, feast day of Agia (Saint) Marina, the people of Dherynia village, of the Turkish occupied Famagusta town celebrated the day with a visit to the chapel, situated two kilometres north-east of the village, and inside the UN buffer zone.

A further six kilometres away stands the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, unreachable since the 1974 Turkish invasion following the occupation of the island's northern third.

The pilgrimage was made possible after special permission was granted by the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus which are responsible for the 180 km buffer zone.

The 12th century Gothic style chapel, which was burnt down during the invasion, was restored last year by the Cyprus Antiquities department.

The chapel was the site of a great feast every year before the invasion, with many temporary stalls selling sweets and goods attracting thousands of Cypriots.

The pilgrims, which came from all parts of Cyprus, reached the chapel in groups inside UNFICYP cars which waited until they carried out their pilgrimage and then transferred them back to the free areas to collect others who were waiting.

Dherynia Mayor, Flora Ioannou, described the whole procedure as sad. "It is so sad that we need permission to come to a site which belongs to us. Twenty-five years ago there was complete freedom," she said.

CNA MAN/EC/RG/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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