Hundreds of orthodox perform Christmas in northern Cyprus Hundreds of Greek Orthodox Cypriots gathered Friday on a beach in the town of Famagusta to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas. Traditionally, a pope launches an Orthodox cross in the sea and dozens of people jump into the water and dive to retrieve it, as a blessing sign. This year, for the second consecutive time in 42 years, this ritual was held in the northern part of Cyprus, divided in two since 1974, in front of the ghost town of Varosha, occupied by the Turkish army and prohibited entry, as a sign of reconciliation. IMAGES