Nicosia Parish

Nicosia known locally as Lefkosia, is the capital and largest city of both Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Located on the River Pedieos and situated almost in the center of the island, it is the seat of government as well as the main business center. Nicosia is the capital of the Nicosia District. Nicosia is designated a Beta World City – by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network.

Christian presence

One thing is certain the Franciscans were in Cyprus on the year 1226, when St. Francis was still alive. They had friaries and churches in several places until the year 1571 when the island fell into the hands of the Turks. In that year they fled away with all the other Orders (Dominican, Agustinians, Cistercians, etc). In 1592 they came back. We know that they established themselves in the same spot where we are now. In the year 1642, they built the first church dedicated to the Holy Cross, which functioned until the end of the 19th century.

On April 8th, 1900, the first stone of the present church was blessed and laid. On February 16th, 1902 the church was inaugurated. The Friary beside the church was rebuilt in 1959.

In September 2000, the parish of the Holy Cross celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the Church.

Today, Holy Cross is a unique parish. People from fifty different nations come to Holy Cross church and Mass is celebrated in eight different languages. The characteristics of this Catholic parish, are: openness, diversity, unity, and faith, as we follow Jesus Christ with joy. Different groups propose spiritual activities: the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Group, the Divine Mercy Prayer Group, the Legion of Mary, and the Neocatechumenal Way.

Contact information:

Paphos Gate
P.O.B. 21964
1010 Nicosia
CYPRUS

Tel: (+357) 22 662132 Fax: (22) 66 07 67
E-mail: holycross@cytanet.com.cy
Website: www.holy-cross-nicosia.com 

Mass schedule:

Sat:  6:30 pm in English 
Sun: 8:00 am & 10:30 am & 6:30 pm in English
        9:30 am in Greek
        10:30 am in English
        12:00 noon Communities’ Mass 
          (1st Sunday – French, 2nd – Filipino,
           3rd – Indian, 4th – Sri Lankan)

 Weekdays:
7:30 am in English (Tuesdays in Greek)
7:30 am in Italian @Chapel in Terra Sancta College
5:30 pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament+
              Evening Prayer (except Saturday)
6:00 pm the Holy Rossary
6:30 pm Mass in English

Kyrenia schedule:

12:00 noon every Sunday