Cyprus, strategically located in the eastern Mediterranean, has been a crossroads of civilizations for millennia. The island has seen the rule of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, Ottomans, and the British, each leaving their mark on its cultural and religious landscape. The Orthodox Church of Cyprus, established in 431 AD, has played a pivotal role in the island’s history, preserving Greek and Christian heritage during these periods of foreign rule.
The Orthodox Church of Cyprus, being the predominant religious institution (abt. 73% of population), has the most extensive collection of church records. Some of these records date back to the Byzantine period continuing through the Ottoman era, British colonial rule, and into the modern Republic of Cyprus. The remaining 27% of the population are approximately 25% Islam, (majority living in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus), and 2% other.
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Parish records
Throughout history the custodian of many vital records was the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, particularly its local parish priests. These records frequently changed hands, leading to the loss or destruction of many documents.
Parish church records are not found as certificates but rather as indexes. These indexes were formatted to ensure a specific logic and structure in parish church books.
- Early birth and baptismal records might include the date and place of birth, the child's sex, the parents' names, the date of baptism, the child's given name, the godfather's name and surname, and the priest's name.
- Marriage records might include the names of the spouses, their ages, their parents' names (often just the fathers' names), the date and place of marriage, and the priest's name.
- Death records/burial records might include the date and place of death, the deceased's name and age, marital status, parents' names (usually just the father's name), cause of death, and place of burial.
Archidiocesan marriage records
For an Orthodox couple's marriage, the Metropolis mandated the local Bishop's approval . The parish priest would submit an application to the Bishop, providing all essential details about the couple. The Bishop or an authorized representative would then respond by granting permission and issuing a marriage license. This procedure ensured the legitimacy of the marriage and confirmed that the future husband and wife were not closely related (second cousins or closer).
The collection of Archdiocesan marriage records typically includes two main components:
- An index of marriage licenses
- The actual license documentation.
The index generally follows a specific format, providing details such as the marriage date, license number, and date issued. It also includes the names, surnames, ages, and residences of both the groom and the bride; the names of their fathers; the marital status of each spouse (e.g., first, second, or third marriage); the names of the best man and maid of honor; the name of the church; and the officiating priest's name. In contrast, the license documentation may vary in the information it provides. Besides the details listed in the index, it can include additional information about the couple, their families, and certificates.
Church vital records are often regarded as more reliable sources than civil records. This is because they were typically documented by the source, a close relative, or a family friend at the time of the event or shortly thereafter.
Orthodox records are generally in Greek. Records for other faiths (Catholics, Maronites, Armenian, or Gregorian) may be in Greek, Latin, Armenian, or Turkish.
References
Archdiocese of Cyprus
P.O. Box 21130 Nicosia, 1502 Cyprus Tel: +357 22554600 / +357 22554611 Fax: +357 22431796 Email: office@churchofcyprus.org.cy Web: http://churchofcyprus.org.cy/ Parish Directory: http://churchofcyprus.org.cy/all/arxiepiskopi/naoi-enories-ieras-arxiepiskopis