1. Pray for Cyprus Z ek i M ur ad Zeki Murad Kyrenia Harbour

2. Population and religion in Cyprus

3. Through overseas trade, the island has given its name to the Classical Latin word for copper through the phrase aes Cyprium, "metal of Cyprus", later shortened to Cuprum from which the chemical symbol comes Cu A copper mine in Cyprus

4. Biblical Background Cyprus is mentioned as an important island even in the Pentateuch The prophets often mention Cyprus as inhabited by seafaring traders. Acts 4:36 tells us that Barnabas was a native of the island: And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus. Acts 21:16 describes Mnason as both a Cypriot and one of the early disciples. Paul’s first missionary journey included the first mission to Cyprus and the conversion of Sergius Paulus.

5. The Stoics The founder of Stoicism was a Cypriot. Paul encountered Stoic philosophers in Athens: Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?”

6. Salamis – Paul and Barnabas arrived here on their first missionary journey The coast at Paphos – This was the location of the conversion of Sergius Paulus one of the early converts from Cyprus A Mosaic from Paphos

7. History Cyprus is an important strategic location in the Mediterranean. It received waves of Greek settlement which resulted in its predominantly Greek character from very early times. In 58 BC it was incorporated into the Roman Republic and when the empire split it was part of the Byzantine empire which resulted in the strong Greek orthodox influence which characterises the Island. In 1191, during the Third Crusade, Richard I of England captured the island. A year later Richard sold the island to the Knights Templar, who, following a bloody revolt, in turn sold it to Guy of Lusignan. His brother and successor Amalric was recognised as King of Cyprus by Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor. This eventually resulted in the control of the Island by Venice.

8. Arrival of Islam on Cyprus In 1570, a full-scale Ottoman assault with 60,000 troops brought the island under Ottoman control, despite stiff resistance by the inhabitants of Nicosia and Famagusta. Ottoman forces capturing Cyprus massacred many Greek and Armenian Christian inhabitants. The previous Latin elite were destroyed and the first significant demographic change since antiquity took place with the formation of a Muslim community.

9. History In the aftermath of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) Cyprus was leased to the British Empire In 1914 the island was annexed as part of the British Empire. In 1915, Britain offered Cyprus to Constantine I of Greece on condition that Greece join the war on the side of the British, which he declined. In 1923, under the Treaty of Lausanne, the newly established Turkish republic relinquished any claim to Cyprus, and in 1925 it was declared a British crown colony.

10. History The Greek Cypriot population desired that the island would become part of Greece whereas the Turkish Cypriot population favoured division of the Island. A coup d'état in 1974, performed as part of an attempt to annex the island to Greece, prompted the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. This resulted in the eviction of much of the north's Greek Cypriot population, the flight of Turkish Cypriots from the south, and the partitioning of the island, leading to a unilateral declaration of independence by the North in 1983.

11. North Cyprus North Cyprus is considered by the International community to be part of the republic of Cyprus. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey itself. Attempts to reach a solution to the Cyprus dispute have been unsuccessful. The Turkish Army maintains a large force in Northern Cyprus.

12. Pray for Cyprus Pray for Cyprus as a significant base for the gospel in the Middle East. Pray for missionary efforts to reach the Turkish Cypriot people with the Good News of Christ. Pray that this may be a means of reaching Turks in Turkey itself. Pray for stability and goodwill on both sides of this divided island. Pray for evangelical churches throughout the island and for those who labour to proclaim the gospel to the inhabitants of the island that was the site of Paul’s first overseas missionary endeavour.