The Primate of the Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Georgios, has stated that he is prepared to return the €300,000 cheque received by the Church of Cyprus as a donation for the Theological School from Malaysian fugitive Jho Low, in compliance with any court ruling. Speaking on the Alpha Enimerosi programme, he explained that he personally does not wish for any “shadow” to fall over the Archdiocese.
Regarding the issues of ecclesiastical land exchanges with state property included in the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority’s findings on the book Mafia State, Archbishop Georgios noted that, based on information he had received, it appears the Church of Cyprus had no involvement whatsoever. He argued that the state had requested the construction of a school in the Engomi area and an exchange with another plot of land, for which valuers were engaged on the state’s part.
“If there is again some court ruling, the Archdiocese does not want shadows cast over it. Explanations should be given; this was something we were not consulted on; it was the government that undertook to find properties of equivalent value for the exchange.”
When asked about the Church of Cyprus’s business activities, he said they are aimed at the “common good” and do not constitute the personal property of either himself or the Metropolitans, who occasionally seek facilitations from the state.
The cases of Tychikos and the Habakkuk monks remain unresolved
Regarding the high-profile case of Bishop Tychikos, who is currently suspended and whose situation led to the election of a new Metropolitan of Paphos, the Archbishop of Cyprus expressed openness to his return to the Church, provided he “heeds what the Holy Synod asked of him — even though so much time has passed and he shows no such intention, he will be accepted.” He clarified that Tychikos continues to receive a stipend to cover his living expenses, but that he will not be reinstating him to the Holy Synod.
As for the former monks of the Holy Monastery of Habakkuk at Fterikkoudi, the Archbishop explained that they have been granted a period of grace during which their appeal to the Holy Synod will be re-examined. However, if “they continue to act contrary to the guidance given, the Synod will reconvene to impose new penalties, which it has the authority to impose and which are provided for in our Constitutional Charter.”
“Hardships become lessons, and we are now more careful — including in the Metropolises — about who is selected to serve as clergy and monks.”
The low birth rate allowance
The Primate of the Church of Cyprus has stated his readiness to expand the financial assistance provided to families with three or more children, as a measure to address the country’s low birth rate. As it stands, he said, there are approximately one thousand beneficiaries, at an annual cost of €2 million.
“We will gradually revise it to make it more. The number of beneficiaries must increase. Within the next five or six years, we will have reviewed it.”
Source: alphanews.live/cyprus
