Cyprus celebrated Greek National Day on March 25 with religious services and pupils` parades in all major cities – on the Cypriot side.

In the capital of Nicosia, events were centered around the Panayia Phaneromeni Church, in the old part of the town, where a commemoration service was attended in the morning by the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, the President of the House Yiannakis Omirou and representatives of political parties, of the military leadership and of the Greek Embassy.

The service to commemorate the begin of the Greek independence struggle, in 1821, was officiated by Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus, while MEP Costas Mavrides addressed the panegyric of the Day, the Cyprus Mail reported.

Later on, Anastasiades attended the pupil’s parade, in front of the Greek Embassy and then spoke at a reception hosted by officials there.

Similar celebrations were also held in Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and other smaller towns. While March 25 is Greek Independence Day and marked in Cyprus, the island is still divided, with Turkey occupying the northern third since 1974 in violation of international law.