The Church of Cyprus issued a circular message on the occasion of the five-year anniversary of the Holy and Great Synod that took place between 17 and 26 June 2016 in Kolymbari, Crete.
As it is stated in the message:
“Since much has been said and written about what the Holy and Great Synod, which met in Crete, is, we, as the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, wish to responsibly inform the people of our autocephalous Church that its designation as a Holy and Great Synod, as it was decided from the beginning, expresses the belief that it is not inferior in any way in terms of prestige and value to the ancient Ecumenical and local Synods”…
In detail:
By the grace of the all-loving God and Father, with the synergy of our Lord Jesus Christ, Head of the Church, and with the illumination of the Holy Spirit, the Holy and Great Council, which had been in preparation for more than five decades, has become a reality and now constitutes an important historical event and experience of the life of the Orthodox Churches, as well as for each one of the Orthodox faithful.
Since much has been said and written about what the Holy and Great Synod, which met in Crete, is, we, as the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, wish to responsibly inform the people of our autocephalous Church that its characterization as a Holy and Great Synod, as it was decided from the beginning, expresses the belief that it is in no way inferior in terms of prestige and value to the ancient Ecumenical and local Councils, which formulated the content of the faith and regulated the administration of the Churches and the ecclesiastical life of the faithful.
This designation of the Synod is not an innovation. The First Ecumenical Council met as the ‘Holy and Great Council’ and was later called the Ecumenical Council.
Just as the Ecumenical Councils had the power, authority and enlightenment to make decisions in the Holy Spirit, so now the Orthodox Church has the grace of the Holy Spirit and the ability to decide on matters concerning her mission in the world.
Moreover, it had all the ecclesiological guarantees and gathered all the criteria laid down by the teaching of the Church, the Holy Fathers and canonical tradition on the importance and value of the Councils in order for its decisions to be valid and relevant to all Orthodox Christians.
Read the entire Encyclical Message here (in Greek)
