Greek Cypriot hold procession in Paphos praying for rain on the island of Cyprus

A large crowd of Greek Cypriots gathered in the community of Panagia, Paphos, on Saturday afternoon to take part in a religious procession praying rain to come to end the ongoing drought affecting the region.

Community officials, local organisations, and residents joined the prayer service and accompanied the icons of the Virgin Mary Chrysorrogiatissa and Saint George. The procession began at the Panagia community centre and continued to the Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery and the Prophet Elias chapel in Vouni Panagias.

On the return route to the community centre, participants made several stops—including Ayios Andronikos, Kremasti, and the churches of Panagia Eleousa and Ayios Georgios—offering prayers specifically for rainfall.

Led by the Bishop of Arsinoe and local clergy, the faithful followed the 12-kilometre route, demonstrating the community’s collective hope for the end of the dry spell

The event comes at a time when Cyprus is once again grappling with reduced rainfall, a recurring challenge throughout its history. The island has long been vulnerable to extended dry periods due to its semi-arid climate. 

Major droughts have been recorded repeatedly over the decades, including severe water shortages in the 1970s, the late 1990s, and 2008, which led to strict rationing, depleted reservoirs, and increased reliance on desalination. These cycles of scarcity have shaped both local agricultural practices and community traditions—such as collective prayer processions—reflecting the deep cultural and historical significance of rainfall for rural communities.

Against this backdrop, Saturday’s procession served not only as a religious expression but also as a reminder of the island’s long-standing struggle with water scarcity and the community’s shared hope for replenishing rains.