Metropolitan Nikiforos of Kykkos spoke about the “impending” schism in the Church of Cyprus on the occasion of the Ukrainian issue, his relations with the Archbishop of Cyprus, the Russian Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
In an interview with sigmalive.com, the Metropolitan of Kykkos referred to the Ecumenical Patriarchate stating that he loves and appreciates it because of its great offer, while noting that “the heart of Orthodoxy beats there, in Constantinople”.
Regarding his relationship with the Russian Church, Metropolitan Nikiforos emphasized that he has no interest in the Church of Russia.
“Which egoism should we satisfy? What interests should we serve? To become Metropolitans in Russia? It is our anxiety that makes us react this way, lest a big schism be created within Orthodoxy, which is the greatest sin,” he noted.
“It’s not a financial issue,” he added. “It is a great insult to say such things about our face, about a lot of money and about Russian investments. The Holy Kykkos Monastery did not receive a single gift or an icon from any Russian”.
The Metropolitan of Kykkos stressed that he will commemorate Archbishop Chrysostomos, if he does not co-officiate with Metropolitan Epifaniy. If he cooperates with Epifaniy of Kyiv, there will be a vertical schism. Now, it is a potential schism. If he co-officiates with him, then there will be a schism.”
He added that he does not know if he will co-officiate with the Archbishop of Cyprus, “I will think very much about co-officiating with him. It is left to the hierarchical conscience of each and everyone”.
He stated that he is not afraid of the “threat” of being defrocked, while he added that the Archbishop of Cyprus does not mean what he says. “We who know him best know that he is not a bad person.”
