Almost half of the Synodal Archpriests, and specifically 7 of the 16, are flirting with the Archbishop’s throne, which creates new facts and may affect the relations before the Synod, which will establish the new primate of the Church of Cyprus.
Specifically, the candidates for the throne will be Metropolitans Georgios of Paphos, Athanasios of Limassol, Basil of Constantia – Famagusta, Chrysostomos of Kyrenia, Neophytos of Morphou and Isaiah of Tamasos, as well as Bishop Christoforos of Karpasia.
The interest of the Metropolitan of Kyrenia and the Bishop of Karpasia is estimated to affect the Metropolitans of Paphos and Constantia and Famagusta unless they withdraw with the prospect of future ascension.
It is worth noting that circles of the Church do not exclude premium candidates who, due to the correlations within the Holy Synod, have no chance of being elected, in order to shuffle the cards and leave all the potential open.
Based on the calculations made by staff, if either the Metropolitan of Paphos or the Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta Vasileios passes to the triprosopon, by entering “wedge” between the first two (Metropolitans of Limassol and Tamasos), a heartbeat away from the throne.
As reported by philenews.com, if he runs third, then everything is possible. Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou remains as an alternative, who has been pursuing his own policy on several issues in recent years.
Meanwhile, there seems to be a new headache within the Holy Synod, since there is the possibility of overthrowing the provisions of the new Charter of the Church before it is implemented for the first time.
A theologian, who deals with the Church’s affairs, told “F” that the timelines of the election of a new Archbishop can be overturned, which will lead to the appointment and enthronement of the new Archbishop with the new year and perhaps after the feast of the Epiphany.
According to this theologian, simply the current timetable for holding the elections (within 40 days) is not enough because there is a question of updating the voter list and completing the other procedures.
He referred to a statement the day before yesterday by the locum tenens of the throne, Metropolitan Georgios of Paphos, who had referred to the meeting of the Holy Synod next Monday, adding the following:
“There are some deadlines given by the statute, but these can be overcome if there are problems that need to be addressed. It is the first time that this statute has been used for the creation of electoral lists and elections,” the Metropolitan added.
It should be noted that about 70,000 Greek citizens live in Cyprus and about 40,000 Russians live there. Especially the latter, in order to be included in the electoral list, must provide some documents that certify that they are baptized Orthodox Christians, hold a residence permit, reside permanently in Cyprus, etc.
According to the Charter of the Church of Cyprus, “all Orthodox Christians over the age of eighteen years, who have been permanently resident in Cyprus for at least one year and registered on the electoral roll, who are approved by the Holy Synod, are entitled to vote”.
It is estimated that those who decided to claim the throne in the first place will support the extension of the procedures so that they have time to develop their positions.
Stabbings from Monday
The fact that the former Archbishop has not yet been buried holds back the candidates’ staff (to succeed him) but after the meeting of the Holy Synod next Monday, the election machines will be officially activated.
The locum tenens of the throne will send two encyclicals announcing the elections and during the Synod, it is not excluded that the first disagreements will arise.
Despite the mild climate that currently prevails, it is estimated that the spirits will be exacerbated and the controversy will be on the agenda.
The focus will be on the election of the triprosopon, as this election process will determine which of the candidates will leave the race. However, because there is also the next day, it is expected unprecedented give and takes.
