The election of a new Metropolitan of Paphos is expected to take place by the end of May, according to Archbishop of Cyprus Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus, who stated that three consecutive sessions of the Holy Synod have been scheduled for May 18, 19, and 20 to examine and approve the new constitutional charter, which is expected to be delivered in the coming days.
Responding to questions regarding a possible decision on the defrocking of the former Metropolitan of Paphos, the Archbishop clarified that the matter will be examined by the Synod based on emerging facts, emphasizing that it has neither been discussed nor placed on the agenda. He added that complaints continue to be submitted, describing the situation as “regrettable” and not conducive to ecclesiastical peace.
He further noted that the Holy Synod did not rely on external accusations, including those attributed to the Mayor of Paphos, but rather on strictly ecclesiological issues. These, he explained, concern attitudes of zealotry, rejection of other Orthodox jurisdictions, and questions related to the acceptance of the decisions of the Holy and Great Council of Crete.
Regarding whether the issue concerning the former Metropolitan of Paphos has concluded, the Archbishop stated that the Holy Synod has examined the matter repeatedly and that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has twice validated the decisions of the Church of Cyprus. “I do not believe there is any further room for continuation of this situation,” he remarked.
He also underlined that, so far, no other members of the Holy Synod have expressed similar views, adding that any such case would also be examined accordingly, as the Church is concerned with issues and not persons.
Finally, he clarified that the question of defrocking is not on the agenda of the upcoming sessions, which are exclusively dedicated to the study and adoption of the new constitutional charter. He noted that the election of the new Metropolitan of Paphos will follow within the month after its approval.
The Archbishop made these statements while speaking to journalists in Paphos during a scientific conference titled “Looting, Rescue and Preservation of the Cultural Heritage of Cyprus,” organized by the Department of History, Politics and International Studies and the UNESCO Chair of Neapolis University Paphos.
(Source: Cyprus News Agency – CNA)
