The Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus met today, on Thursday the 11th of February 2021, at the first regular session of the year, which was led by Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus.
During the session, the Archbishop paid tribute to late Archimandrite Grigorios Mousouroulis, former Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod and made a wish for the rest of his soul. He appointed Archimandrite Georgios Christodoulou as the new Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod.
Moreover, the Archbishop of Cyprus was informed by the Archbishops in charge of the Inter-Orthodox, Inter-Christian and Inter-Religious Dialogues about their participation in the initiative of conducting such dialogues. They discussed several matters and relevant decisions were made.
In addition, the Archbishop approved the members of the Synodal Committees, which were suggested by the Hierarchs and Chairmen of the Committees in accordance with the new Charter. The Metropolitan of Paphos and the Bishops of Ledra and Chytri were elected as new members of the Inquiry Committee for a five-year term.
Finally, he issued a declaration for the 200th anniversary since the Greek Revolution in 1821, in which they stated that it was a unique anniversary because “on this day our ancestors were tested before God and the people” and “they gave prominence to their national identity.”
Furthermore, they stated that: “The celebration of the Greek Revolution of 1821 on the 25th of March every year is one of the most important chapters in our history. We are able to gaze at the course of our nation in the past” and at the same time at “the contribution of the Church” which “was wonderful and unique” because “immediately after the enslavement, the symbols of the Church preserved the symbols of the Empire and made a lot of sacrifices during the dark ages of slavery.” They pointed out: ÈThe fact that we exist today as a Greek nation, it is because the Church has supported us. We would not be able to count and evaluate the heroic deeds of the national heroes of our Church” and those who “endured martyrdom”.
They also highlighted: “The anniversary celebration of the national uprising of the Greek nation reminds us that we are descendants of a nation that did admirable things back then but it was not able to finish what it had started. We, the new generation of Greeks, must carry out this very task. Thousands of Greeks in Cyprus are still suffering due to slavery and the threat of complete extinction.”
Finally, they added: “We, the unredeemed Greeks of Cyprus, must, first of all, take these messages into account and set the right example. Four hundred years of slavery did not numb the nation. On the contrary, during those four hundred years, people were continuously preparing themselves in order to carry out their national idea. So let us not be discouraged by the suffering of 47 years of occupation. Let us stick to our principles and ideals and redemption will come for us too.”