Cyprus Orthodox Church to pray for rain to end worst drought in years

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The Associated Press Published: November 26, 2007
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NICOSIA, Cyprus: The Orthodox Church of Cyprus instructed priests to pray for rain at Sunday Mass in hopes of ending one of this east Mediterranean island's worst droughts in recent years.

Church Primate Archbishop Chrysostomos II issued a circular Monday instructing all priests across the island to offer special prayers on Dec. 2 for divine providence to end the drought with much-needed rains.

"Unfortunately, once again, drought is lashing our homeland. Justifiably, our people are anxious because if the drought continues, there will be severe consequences not only on agriculture, livestock farming and forestry, but also on sources from which our towns and villages are supplied water," the circular reads.

"We are certain that if we all pray together with an earnest soul and deep faith, then it's all but impossible for all-merciful God not to heed our prayers and fulfill our pleas."

Cyprus relies heavily on dams to meet its drinking water and irrigation needs.

Dam water levels stand at a paltry 8 percent of their capacity, compared with 25 percent during the same period last year.

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