Archbishop: "We will build the hotel either next to the ancient
Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 6:46 pm
Interesting the speech of the Archbishop concerning the "billion dollar baby" near the beach at Yeroskipou: Google translation PaphosPress
Archbishop: "We will build the hotel either next to the ancient or on the ancient" (INTERVIEW)
From
Pafos Press -
September 29, 2019
The Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos gave an interview in all the material to be discussed in the Sunday newspaper Simerini. (READ ALL THE INTERVIEW HERE)
Speaking to colleague Michalis Papadopoulos, Cyprus Chrysostomos referred to the Cyprus issue, the economy, education and the financial crisis.
He also spoke of the Archbishopric's investment in Geroskipou saying that two things can be done: One proposal is to build the hotel out of the area where the ancients extend and the second to build the whole piece so that they can be protected and to highlight the antiquities. But if the first option is chosen, I want to make it clear to everyone that I will in no way deprive the Church of its property. In this case, the remaining piece must be expropriated. We, the hotel will build it either next to the ancient or on the ancient, in a way that makes it stand out.
Read below the interview point regarding the planned investment in Geroskipou.
Blessedly, I would like to ask you about the issue of investing in Geroskipou, which has provoked a lot of reactions, but also a heated debate between the Church and the Department of Antiquities. Where is the issue right now?
What happens is that they are all motorized. Some did not want to invest in Geroskipou. That's why, from 13 until today, it's been six years, we haven't been able to get a permit for many reasons. All the seafronts of Paphos, from the Chloraka area to the airport were inhabited, are the Tombs of the Kings, Kato Paphos is a large archaeological site. All of the hotels built below were ancient. The least of them had the space to the airport, which was outside the city. But they were insignificant. If they found Aphrodite, I'd say it's worth it. So, without asking us, the Department of Antiquities proclaimed the monument B 'Table. When I was informed, I called the head of the Department of Antiquities and asked her what this action was, without even informing the Church, as they were required, under the Constitution, to ask us. I have indicated to her, and precisely, that the property of the Church is protected by the Constitution and without being asked can not be declared a monument, inviting it, at the same time, to revoke the decision by sending a revised decision to the Council of Ministers. The head of the Department declined, leaving us no choice but to turn to the Attorney General, and he was done. The Attorney General ruled that the action was abnormal, and we returned to the constitutional order, while we, for our part, told the Department that it could not continue to be within the Church's property. In a new meeting we had with Mrs. Ieronimidou, we suggested that the Department could continue excavations in the area, but the Church would proceed to exploit the field, always respecting antiquities.
We are guardians of the Church's property
At the same time, we have made it clear that we cannot in any way deprive the Church of its property. We also mentioned to her that, although the land is not expropriated, we can allow the expropriation. According to estimates of the Land Registry, the value of this field amounts to € 95 million. The matter was taken to the highest government level, where it was ruled that it was impossible to expropriate. Since then, our position has been clear: We will respect and highlight the antiquities, through the proper construction of space. And we cite the example of the Acropolis Museum, where antiquities are highlighted through the installation of glass surfaces, etc., and the Athens subway. So we said that we will build and, where the ancient ones are, we will shape the space in such a way that they will not only not be affected, but will ideally appear. If a hotel were built there, it could be the lobby at that point and our foreigners would drink their coffee and admire the antiquities, as in other Paphos hotels. Unfortunately, he refused again. Then, we were forced to point out that we would not allow the Department to enter the site, even if we did not implement the investment planning. But everyone should know that, unless the investment is built right now, after two or three years the ancient will not exist. They will steal them, as they do in many other archaeological sites. Unfortunately, even then we were unable to find a common fit.
That is, the issue is still pending.
-Yes ... But, I want to tell you one more thing. I, all this time, have respected the President's health problem. Now that he has overcome it, when he returns from New York, I will visit him and raise the issue. I will tell him, President, two things can be done: One proposal is to build the hotel out of the area where the ancients extend and the second to build the whole piece in a way that protects and highlights the antiquities. But if the first option is chosen, I want to make it clear to everyone that I will in no way deprive the Church of its property. In this case, the remaining piece must be expropriated. We, the hotel will build it either next to the ancient or on the ancient, in a way that makes it stand out. But we are not going to give away at least the Church's property. Because we are the custodians of this property. I do not want to accuse us of depriving us of Church property. And I will call on the President of the Republic to take a decision, either for one or the other. According to the Constitution, the President has all the powers. Town Planning has power when it is instructed by the Council of Ministers. The other sections have an advisory role ... So I'll take my rattan and raise the Presidential and put the President in charge of it. Because the whole issue is raised, because some do not want to build the investment next to their land."
Max (one can recognize that a Google translation is as good as the Greek original text...)
Archbishop: "We will build the hotel either next to the ancient or on the ancient" (INTERVIEW)
From
Pafos Press -
September 29, 2019
The Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos gave an interview in all the material to be discussed in the Sunday newspaper Simerini. (READ ALL THE INTERVIEW HERE)
Speaking to colleague Michalis Papadopoulos, Cyprus Chrysostomos referred to the Cyprus issue, the economy, education and the financial crisis.
He also spoke of the Archbishopric's investment in Geroskipou saying that two things can be done: One proposal is to build the hotel out of the area where the ancients extend and the second to build the whole piece so that they can be protected and to highlight the antiquities. But if the first option is chosen, I want to make it clear to everyone that I will in no way deprive the Church of its property. In this case, the remaining piece must be expropriated. We, the hotel will build it either next to the ancient or on the ancient, in a way that makes it stand out.
Read below the interview point regarding the planned investment in Geroskipou.
Blessedly, I would like to ask you about the issue of investing in Geroskipou, which has provoked a lot of reactions, but also a heated debate between the Church and the Department of Antiquities. Where is the issue right now?
What happens is that they are all motorized. Some did not want to invest in Geroskipou. That's why, from 13 until today, it's been six years, we haven't been able to get a permit for many reasons. All the seafronts of Paphos, from the Chloraka area to the airport were inhabited, are the Tombs of the Kings, Kato Paphos is a large archaeological site. All of the hotels built below were ancient. The least of them had the space to the airport, which was outside the city. But they were insignificant. If they found Aphrodite, I'd say it's worth it. So, without asking us, the Department of Antiquities proclaimed the monument B 'Table. When I was informed, I called the head of the Department of Antiquities and asked her what this action was, without even informing the Church, as they were required, under the Constitution, to ask us. I have indicated to her, and precisely, that the property of the Church is protected by the Constitution and without being asked can not be declared a monument, inviting it, at the same time, to revoke the decision by sending a revised decision to the Council of Ministers. The head of the Department declined, leaving us no choice but to turn to the Attorney General, and he was done. The Attorney General ruled that the action was abnormal, and we returned to the constitutional order, while we, for our part, told the Department that it could not continue to be within the Church's property. In a new meeting we had with Mrs. Ieronimidou, we suggested that the Department could continue excavations in the area, but the Church would proceed to exploit the field, always respecting antiquities.
We are guardians of the Church's property
At the same time, we have made it clear that we cannot in any way deprive the Church of its property. We also mentioned to her that, although the land is not expropriated, we can allow the expropriation. According to estimates of the Land Registry, the value of this field amounts to € 95 million. The matter was taken to the highest government level, where it was ruled that it was impossible to expropriate. Since then, our position has been clear: We will respect and highlight the antiquities, through the proper construction of space. And we cite the example of the Acropolis Museum, where antiquities are highlighted through the installation of glass surfaces, etc., and the Athens subway. So we said that we will build and, where the ancient ones are, we will shape the space in such a way that they will not only not be affected, but will ideally appear. If a hotel were built there, it could be the lobby at that point and our foreigners would drink their coffee and admire the antiquities, as in other Paphos hotels. Unfortunately, he refused again. Then, we were forced to point out that we would not allow the Department to enter the site, even if we did not implement the investment planning. But everyone should know that, unless the investment is built right now, after two or three years the ancient will not exist. They will steal them, as they do in many other archaeological sites. Unfortunately, even then we were unable to find a common fit.
That is, the issue is still pending.
-Yes ... But, I want to tell you one more thing. I, all this time, have respected the President's health problem. Now that he has overcome it, when he returns from New York, I will visit him and raise the issue. I will tell him, President, two things can be done: One proposal is to build the hotel out of the area where the ancients extend and the second to build the whole piece in a way that protects and highlights the antiquities. But if the first option is chosen, I want to make it clear to everyone that I will in no way deprive the Church of its property. In this case, the remaining piece must be expropriated. We, the hotel will build it either next to the ancient or on the ancient, in a way that makes it stand out. But we are not going to give away at least the Church's property. Because we are the custodians of this property. I do not want to accuse us of depriving us of Church property. And I will call on the President of the Republic to take a decision, either for one or the other. According to the Constitution, the President has all the powers. Town Planning has power when it is instructed by the Council of Ministers. The other sections have an advisory role ... So I'll take my rattan and raise the Presidential and put the President in charge of it. Because the whole issue is raised, because some do not want to build the investment next to their land."
Max (one can recognize that a Google translation is as good as the Greek original text...)
