SOURP MAGAR MONASTERY RENOVATION PROJECT
ΕΚΣΤΡΑΤΕΙΑ ΑΝΑΚΑΙΝΙΣΗΣ ΜΟΝΗΣ ΣΟΥΡΠ ΜΑΓΚΑΡ
ՍՈՒՐԲ ՄԱԿԱՐ ՎԱՆՔԻ ՎԵՐԱՆՈՐՈԳՈՒԹԵԱՆ ԱՐՇԱՒ
NEWS & UPDATES
ARTICLE IN THE CYPRUS MAIL NEWSPAPER ABOUT SOURP MAGAR AND OUR FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN
Date: 14th May 2026
We express our gratitude to James Morphakis, journalist at the The Cyprus Mail newspaper for his interest to interview Chairman of our Committee, Parsy Zartarian, and write about the current tragic physical state of the monastery and our fund-raising campaign.
Please click here or on the image to read the article in full.
GUESTS AND AUDIENCE AT THE 6th MAY 2026 EVENT AT THE VAHRAM UTIDJIAN HALL
Date: 8th May 2026
The Vahram Utidjian Hall at the Armenian Prelature Of Cyprus was full with members of the Armenian community together with over 50 guests from the Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, Maronite and Latin communities.
We express our gratitude for the esteemed presence of Mr. Philippe Baudin, representing Mr. Khassim Diagne, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General; Mrs. Maria Xiari, representing Mrs. Eleni Apeyitou, Head of the Economic, Climate and Cultural Diplomacy Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Dr. Nikolas Bakirtzis, Director of APAC Labs, representing Dr. Stavros Malas, President of the Cyprus Institute.
ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO CELEBRATE THE FEAST DAY OF SAINT MAGAR CANCELLED
Date: 7th May 2026
Unfortunately, the pilgrimage of the Armenian community to Sourp Magar Monastery on the 10th May, the feast day of Saint Magar, was cancelled by the Turkish Cypriot 'authorities' a few days before the event. In accordance with the protocol for religious activities in the area not under the control of the Republic of Cyprus, the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, applied for and received approval for the pilgrimage. In few days after the approval, the Prelature was informed that the approval was cancelled for 'safety reasons'. Efforts are being made by the Armenian Prelature and Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian, the Representative of the Armenian Community to secure approval for a new date.
PRESENTATION (SMMRC) BY PARSY ZARTARIAN
AT THE EVENT OF 6th MAY 2026
Date: 7 May 2026
Presentation by Mr. Parsy Zartarian, Chairman of the Sourp Magar Monastery Renovation Committee (SMMRC), about the fund-raising campaign to support the proposed project by TCCH and UNDP Cyprus to renovate the monastery in 2027. Video clip is copied from the live stream of the event by Gibrahayer E-magazine.
The Sourp Magar Monastery Renovation Committee in cooperation with the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, organized an event on the 6th May dedicated to Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and the proposed project to renovate Sourp Magar Monastery. Dr. Mehmetcan Soyluoglu from the Cyprus Institute and Mr. Parsy Zartarian, made presentations to an audience of over 100 persons, from all communities of Cyprus.
PRESENTATION (TCCH) BY PARSY ZARTARIAN
AT THE EVENT OF 6th MAY 2026
Date: 7 May 2026
Presentation by Mr. Parsy Zartarian, Member of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage of Cyprus (TCCH), about the mission and the work of the Technical Committee. Video clip is copied from the live stream of the event by Gibrahayer E-magazine.
The Sourp Magar Monastery Renovation Committee in cooperation with the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, organized an event on the 6th May dedicated to Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and the proposed project to renovate Sourp Magar Monastery. Dr. Mehmetcan Soyluoglu from the Cyprus Institute and Mr. Parsy Zartarian, made presentations to an audience of over 100 persons, from all communities of Cyprus.
PRESENTATION BY MEHMETCAN SOYLUOGLOU AT THE EVENT OF 6th MAY 2026
Date: 7 May 2026
Presentation by Dr. Mehmetcan Soyluoglou, post doctoral research fellow at The Cyprus Institute, on subject of 3D digital model of the monastery and his dendroarchaelogical study of the wood used in the monastery. Video clip is copied from the live stream of the event by Gibrahayer E-magazine.
The Sourp Magar Monastery Renovation Committee in cooperation with the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, organized an event on the 6th May dedicated to Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and the proposed project to renovate Sourp Magar Monastery. Dr. Mehmetcan Soyluoglu from the Cyprus Institute and Mr. Parsy Zartarian, made presentations to an audience of over 100 persons, from all communities of Cyprus.
WELCOME ADDRESS BY ARCHBISHOP GOMIDAS OHANIAN AT THE EVENT OF 6th MAY 2026.
Date: 7 May 2026
Welcome address by Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian at the Vahram Utidjian Hall, Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, 6th May 2026. Video Clip copied from live stream of the event by Gibrahayer E-magazine
The Sourp Magar Monastery Renovation Committee in cooperation with the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, organized an event on the 6th May dedicated to Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and the proposed project to renovate Sourp Magar Monastery. Dr. Mehmetcan Soyluoglu from the Cyprus Institute and Mr. Parsy Zartarian, made presentations to an audience of over 100 persons, from all communities of Cyprus.
EVENT ABOUT THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL HERITAGE & THE SOURP MAGAR MONASTERY RENOVATION PROJECT
Date: 7 May 2026
The Sourp Magar Monastery Renovation Committee in cooperation with the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, organized an event at Utidjian Hall on the 6th May dedicated to Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and the proposed project to renovate Sourp Magar Monastery. Dr Nikolas Bakirtzis and Dr. Mehmetcan Soyluoglu from the Cyprus Institute and our own Chairman, Mr. Parsy Zartarian, made presentations to an audience of over 100 persons, from all communities of Cyprus.
Videos of the welcome address by Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian and presentations by Dr. Mehetcan Soyluoglou and Mr. Parsy Zartarian can be viewed by clicking on the links below.
ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE WITH ORGANISED BUSES TO SOURP MAGAR MONASTERY ANNOUNCED BY THE ARMENIAN PRELATURE OF CYPRUS
Date: 27 April 2026
The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus announced that on Sunday 10th May 2026, there will be an official pilgrimage to Sourp Magar Monastery, organised by the Prelature and the office of Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian, the Representative of the Armenian Community in the House of Representatives.
All interested persons are requested to call the Prelature offices (tel 22493560) by 13:00 pm 6th May, to reserve seats. The buses will depart from the Prelature at 11:00 am on Sunday 10th May and the bus fare is €10 per person.
EVENT TO PRESENT THE WORK OF TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL HERITAGE & THE RENOVATION PROJECT FOR SOURP MAGAR
Date: 15 April 2026
The Sourp Magar Monastery Renovation Committee is organizing an event at Vahram Utidjian Hall on the 6th May dedicated to the proposed project to conserve and renovate Sourp Magar Monastery. Dr. Mehmetcan Soyluoglu, research fellow at the CYI, will present a 3D digital model and his dendroarchaelogical research of the Monastery, and Mr. Parsy Zartarian, will make presentations about the work of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage of Cyprus and the proposed project to renovate Sourp Magar Monastery.
LAUNCH OF SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES AND
FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN
Date: March 2026
We have now launched Facebook and Instagram pages to raise awareness about the Sourp Magar Monastery Renovation Project. At the same time, we continue reaching out to private, corporate and institutional donors in Cyprus and overseas, explaining our mission and our fund-raising target to raise pledges for a minimum of EUR500,000 by the 31st July 2026.
CONSERVATION DESIGN PHASE LAUNCHED FOR THE HISTORIC KERIKLI HAMMAN IN FAMAGUSTA
Photo credits: UNDP Cyprus Facebook page.
Date: February 2026
The Advisory Board of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and UNDP staff visited the 'Kerikli Hamman' in the walled city of Famagusta to meet with design consultants and local stakeholders to discuss the project scope and address technical challenges. This public bath is a unique example of Lusignan and Ottoman secular bath architecture, featuring a four‑iwan plan around a central space and a historic hypocaust heating system.
RENOVATION PROJECT COMPLETED BY THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE AND UNDP CYPRUS
Photo credits: TCCH Facebook page.
Date: January 2026
The Panagia Apsinthiotissa Monastery, founded in the 11th or 12th century, located in the foothills of the Pentadaktylos mountain range, was recently renovated by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) in cooperation with UNDP Cyprus as the project manager and financed by the European Union. One more successful project of TCCH/UNDP Cyprus, working with all communities in Cyprus to safeguard the rich shared cultural heritage of the island.
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE, ADVISORY BOARD AND UNDP STAFF VISIT THE MONASTERY
Date: November 2025
Members of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) together with members of the Advisory Board and UNDP Cyprus staff, made a site visit to Sourp Magar Armenian Monastery to see first hand the condition of the monument. All visitors agreed that the monastery needs urgent stabilization and that substantial funds have to be secured for work to start as soon as possible. Since early 2025, Armenian church and community leaders are discussing with potential institutional and private donors to raise the required funds.
RESEARCH PROJECT ON THE TYPE AND AGE OF WOOD USED IN THE MONASTERY
Date: October 2025
Cyprus Institute Research Assistant Mehmetcan Soyluoglu successfully defended his PhD thesis, entitled "Tracing Heritage on the Kyrenia Mountains, Cyprus: Landscape, Architecture and Tree-rings at Sourp Magar Monastery”. This was the first detailed dendroarchaeological study of the monument and it offers a framework for interpreting the transition of the monastery complex from a Coptic foundation to an Armenian institution. These findings will be very useful for any renovation work which will be done on the site.
LIDAR PHOTOGRAMMETRY STUDY OF THE MONASTERY BY THE CYPRUS INSTITUTE
Date: September 2025
A multi-cultural team of scientists based in the Cyprus Institute used innovative digital methods which offer low-cost efficient techniques for the 3D documentation, to prepare a study of the Monastery. Their report and findings will be very useful for the Project Team which will be undertake any future conservation work on the site.
SOURP MAGAR TO JOIN ONLINE 'ECHOES EU' DATABASE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES
Date: June 2025
The Andreas Pittas Art Characterization Laboratories (APAC Labs) in Nicosia announced that Sourp Magar Monastery will be included as one of the case studies in the ECHOES EU project which is a shared platform that connects heritage professionals, researchers, and institutions. This case study will contribute to the creation of digital library through the Heritage Digital Twins programme, which is particularly important for remote endangered cultural heritage sites. It will also help to bring together experts involved 3D Digital technologies and those focusing on community engagement and cultural heritage.
ARMENIAN CYPRIOT APPOINTED AS MEMBER OF THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (TCCH)
Date: April 2025
Following the initiative and recommendation of Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian, Representative of the Armenian Community, President Nikos Christodoulides appointed Mr Parsegh (Parsy) Zartarian, as the first Armenian Cypriot member of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH). He will participate in meetings with Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, Maronite and Latin colleagues, for the benefit of all religious and cultural heritage sites, and will work to bring the urgent conservation and renovation of Sourp Magar monastery back on the agenda.
INTERVENTION TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ABOUT THE MONASTERY
Date: March 2025
In an intervention to the European Commission, Cyprus MEP Costas Mavrides, urged the EC to take emergency action to prevent the complete destruction of Sourp Magar Monastery. He also requested to be informed whether the EC has conducted the necessary oversight for the preservation of this specific monastery as required by the framework for managing EU funds.
YENIDUZEN ARTICLE "SOURP MAGAR MONASTERY FACES RISK OF DESTRUCTION"
Date: 2 March 2025
In this article, Doğan Samer, a journalist at YENİDÜZEN Turkish Cypriot newspaper concludes that "..this unique structure, a historical treasure must be preserved ... it is one of the most important symbols of Cyprus's multicultural history .. and it has been left to its fate for years. Protecting cultural heritage means not only respecting the past but also leaving a legacy for the future. This unique structure continues to be a historical treasure that must be preserved not only for the Armenian community but for all of humanity."
#SAVESOURPMAGAR ONLINE CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE MONASTERY
Date: January 2025
Members of the Armenian Community of Cyprus launched an
online campaign to raise awareness about the current tragic state of the monastery. The hashtag #savesourpmagar was used on all social media platforms and succeeded to reach wide audience in Cyprus and overseas and generated many positive comments about the urgent need to take action to save the Monastery before it collapses beyond repair.
LITURGY AT ST. MARY'S CHURCH, VICTORIA STREET, ARABAHMENT DISTRICT, NICOSIA
Date: 15 December 2024
The Armenian Cypriot community was given permission by the Turkish Cypriot 'authorities' to perform Holy Mass in the historic church of St. Mary's in the Arabahmet district in old Nicosia within the Venetian walls. The liturgy was performed by Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian with assistance of Father Momik Habeshian, parish priest of Nicosia. Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian, Armenian Representative in the House of Representatives, Mr. Vahan Aynedjian, Chairman of Diocesan Council, and many members of the congregation were present.
MONASTERY RENOVATION DISCUSSED WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
Date: September 2024
Archbishop Gomidas, accompanied by Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian, Representative of the Armenian Community, visited the exhibition organized by the Cyprus House of Representatives, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. This was an opportunity to talk about the urgent need for the Monastery renovation project with Mrs. Anita Dimitriou, President of the House of Representatives, and with Mrs. Vasiliki Kasianidou, Deputy Minister for Culture.
LITURGY AT ST. MARY'S CHURCH, VICTORIA STREET, ARABAHMENT DISTRICT, NICOSIA
Date: 7 January 2024
The Armenian Cypriot community was given permission by the Turkish Cypriot 'authorities' to perform mass in the historic Armenian church of Virgin Mary in the Arabahmet district in old Nicosia. Archbishop Khoren Toghramadjian celebrated the Holy Liturgy at the old Virgin Mary cathedral in Victoria street, with assistance of Father Momik Habeshian, parish priest of Nicosia. Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian, Armenian Representative in the House of Representatives, members of the Diocesan Council and Administrative Committee of the Armenian Church of Cyprus, many members of the congregation were present.
GROUNDS OF THE MONASTERY ILLEGALLY USED FOR LIVE TECHNO PARTY
Click image to see Youtube video
Date: April 2021
Armenian community leaders, Cyprus government officials and
religious leaders condemned the misuse, disrespect and desecration of the holy monastery of Sourp Magar, when an techno party was organized on 20th March. The Mufti of Cyprus also issued a statement of condemnation and urged EVKAF authorities to deal with such incidents accordingly.
CONTRACTOR STARTS CONSERVATION WORK ON THE SITE AND THEN STOPS
Date: June 2020
The UNDP Cyprus appointed contractor, Kayas Construction started the restoration works with site cleaning and installing worker utilities in early 2020 but halted activities due to Covid pandemic restrictions. Later in June 2020, UNDP announced that work re-started (see FB post below). After few weeks, work was halted again, and later completely stopped due to contractual issues.
2nd ARMENIAN HERITAGE SITE CONSERVED BY UNDP AND THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Date: May 2018
More than 250 Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots and Armenian Cypriots gathered to celebrate the completion of conservation works to St. Mary of the Armenians and St. Mary of Carmel churches. These works were fully funded by the EU and implemented through UNDP Cyprus. St. Mary is the second Armenian heritage site to be conserved by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. The first was St. Mary's Armenian Church and Monastery in the Arabahmet neighbourhood of Nicosia, which started in 2007 and was completed in 2013.
UNDP CYPRUS ANNOUNCES RFQ FOR REHABILITATION & CONVERSATION DESIGNS
Date: April 2018
UNDP Cyprus announced Request For Quotation
'RFQ-CYP-041-2018 - SOURP MAGAR MONASTERY - REHABILITATION PLAN AND CONSERVATION DESIGNS' to appoint a multi-disciplinary team of specialists to prepare a detailed report including the examination, treatment and
preventive care of the building elements, (with minimum intervention), aiming to safeguard the fabric of the structure, protecting its special characteristics and elements, and creating safety and safeguarding its heritage values.
ARMENIAN COMMUNITY PILGRIMAGE TO SOURP MAGAR MONASTERY
Date: 8 May 2016
Armenian-Cypriot pilgrims visited the abandoned monastery thanks to the initiative of Mr Vartkes Mahdessian, the Representative of the Armenian Community, in co-operation with the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus and under the supervision of UNFICYP. This annual pilgrimage was revived in 2007 after 33 years of not being allowed, and repeated every year between 2009 and 2016.
ARMENIAN HERITAGE SITE WINS EUROPA NOSTRA AWARD FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE
Date: October 2015
Representatives from all Cypriot communities joined high-level officials from the EU, Europa Nostra, UNDP-ACT, USAID, as well as heads of diplomatic missions, to celebrate the successful restoration of St. Mary's Armenian Church and Monastery complex in the Arabahmet district in old Nicosia. This site is tangible proof of the diversity and multiple layers of culture and religion that underpins the island's rich history. Work on the site started in 2007 and was completed in 2013, with Italian architect Paolo Vitti and the civil engineer Stefano De Vito.
ARAM I, CATHOLICOS OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH VISITED THE MONASTERY
Date: July 2008
His Holiness Aram I, accompanied by Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, Vicar Gerneral, Armenian Prelature, Mr. Sebouh Tavitian, Diocesan Council Chairman, and Dr. Antranik Ashdjian, Executive Council Chairman, visited the Turkish-occupied areas including St Mary's Cathedral in old Nicosia and Sourp Magar monastery, where a monument marking the 1933 visit by Catholicos Sahag II still stands.
ARMENIAN COMMUNITY PILGRIMAGE TO THE MONASTERY - FIRST TIME IN 33 YEARS
Date: 6 May 2007
The Armenian Community Representative, Mr Vartkes Mahdessian, in co-operation with the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, organized the first pilgrimage in 33 years. About 250 people travelled in a convoy of buses and cars escorted by UNFICYP soldiers. Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, in civilian clothes so as not to provoke reactions, remembered his last christening in the monastery in 1973 and recollected images of the past.
HRANT DINK VISITED THE MONASTERY AND MET WITH TURKISH CYPRIOTS
Date: December 2006
Hrant Dink was a well-known publisher of Turkish language Agos newspaper with a passion to promote Armenian-Turkish mutual respect and understanding. He visited the Monastery and met with Turkish Cypriot businessmen who wanted to convert the monastery into a hotel. The Turkish Cypriot newspaper article says Dink tried to persuade them to cancel their plans or to convert it into a multi-cultural museum instead. Unfortunately, a few weeks later, Dink was assassinated in Istanbul in 19 January 2007.
ANOTHER COMMERCIALISATION ATTEMPT BY TURKISH CYPRIOT AUTHORITIES
Date: June 2006
In the years 1998-1999, there were attempts by local Turkish Cypriot to lease the monastery to a property developer to create 50-bed hotel. This project was halted following intense pressure from the Armenians, the Republic of Cyprus, the Vatican, and the European Council. Later in 2006, there were proposals to create a café and tourist shop for tourists and walkers, but again this was halted due to protests.
COMMERCIAL HOTEL PROJECT PROPOSED BY TURKISH CYPRIOT INVESTOR
Date: January 1998
On 21 January 1998, Turkish-Cypriot newspaper Kibris printed a first-page article about plans of converting the monastery into a 50-bed hotel by businessman Derviş Ulus Sönmezler, who claimed that he had 'leased' the monastery for 49 years from the local authorities. After strong protests and reactions from government and religious leaders in Cyprus and overseas, the plans were abandoned.
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Angel of God Night Prayer by St.Macarius of Egypt
'Holy angel, to whose care this poor soul and wretched body of mine have been given, do not cast me off because I am a sinner, do not hold aloof from me because I am not clean. Guide me by your influence on my mortal body. Take my limp hand and bring me to the path that leads to salvation. Forgive every deed of mine that has offended you. Protect me during the coming night and keep me safe from the Evil Enemy. Intercede for me with the Lord and ask him to make me fear him and enable me to give him the service his goodness deserves.
Amen.'
