Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus has announced that the election of a new Metropolitan of Paphos is expected to take place by the end of May, as the Church of Cyprus prepares for a series of crucial Holy Synod meetings.
Speaking to journalists in Paphos, the Archbishop explained that three consecutive sessions of the Holy Synod have been scheduled for May 18, 19, and 20. These meetings will focus on reviewing and approving the Church’s new constitutional charter, which is expected to be submitted in the coming days. Once the statute is finalized, the process for electing a new Metropolitan will proceed within the same month.
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Addressing questions regarding the case of the former Metropolitan of Paphos, Archbishop Georgios clarified that no decision regarding defrocking has been made or formally discussed by the Synod so far. However, he acknowledged that complaints continue to be submitted, describing the situation as “regrettable” and noting that such developments do not contribute to maintaining a peaceful ecclesiastical climate.
He also rejected claims that the Synod’s earlier decisions were based on external accusations, including those allegedly coming from the mayor of Paphos. Instead, he emphasized that the matters under examination were strictly ecclesiological, particularly concerning issues of zealotry tendencies. As he explained, such attitudes involve denying the Orthodoxy of others and rejecting broader ecclesiastical consensus.
The Archbishop further pointed out that the discussion also touched upon positions toward other Christian denominations and the acceptance of the decisions of the Holy and Great Council of Crete. He stressed that no personal matters were examined, reiterating that the Synod’s focus remains on safeguarding the unity and doctrinal integrity of the Church.
Regarding ongoing legal appeals by representatives of the former Metropolitan, Archbishop Georgios noted that the issue has already been thoroughly reviewed multiple times, adding that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has twice ratified the decisions of the Church of Cyprus. “There is no room for prolonging this situation,” he stated.
He also clarified that the question of defrocking is not on the agenda of the upcoming Synod meetings, which are solely dedicated to the new charter. At the same time, he underlined that if any hierarch, including himself, were to express views considered heretical or extreme, the Synod would be obliged to address the matter, stressing that “we are speaking about the Church, not individuals.”
The Archbishop made these remarks on the sidelines of a scientific conference on the protection of Cyprus’s cultural heritage, hosted by the Neapolis University Pafos.
Source: CNA, sigmalive.com, translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
