The conquerors who ruled this island still make their presence felt with the religion, customs and traditions still followed by the people. Like the island even the culture is divided, with Greek culture in South and Turkish in the North. Cypriot families either of the side is closely knitted families with nuclear as well as extended family in existence. The Family values demand respect for elders and children are expected to take care of their parents when they are old.
The hierarchy are kept in very high regards and respected by the Cypriots and their evident can be found in two main religions of Cyprus, the Greek orthodox in Greek Cyprus and Islam in Turkish Cyprus. Here in Cyprus old people are considered as the people with wisdom and they are revered and honored.
Primarily there are two main religions Christianity and Muslim but the Cyprus Constitution safeguards the freedom of religion. Most of the Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus are Muslims. They follow certain obligations like praying five times a day – in the morning, noon, afternoon, during sunset and then in the evening. During the Holy months of Ramadan all the Muslims in Cyprus must fast from Dawn to dusk, they are allowed to work only for six hours a day. Fasting should be done without eating, drinking, cigarette smoking or gum chewing.
Most of the Greek Cypriots are Christian and belong to the Greek Orthodox Church. The church in the oldest autocephalous churches and accepts the ecumenical patriarch in Constantinople. It is the work of the elders to fulfill all the religious responsibilities on behalf of the family. Women in villages are more religious and regular church goers. But in cities the church attendance is less but people worship at home.
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