In an official statement, Metropolitan of Paphos firmly denied any conflict with the Primate of the Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Georgios, calling recent insinuations false and misleading. He also addressed his participation in a memorial service in Kato Paphos and responded to the convening of an extraordinary Holy Synod session.
“As Metropolitan of Paphos, a member of the Holy Synod, and above all, as a humble member of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, I express my respect, honor, and sincere desire for the paternal love of His Beatitude,” the Metropolitan stated, adding, “whom I have never offended or undermined—neither in word nor in deed.”
While acknowledging recent public commentary and speculation, the Metropolitan stressed his patience and resilience in the face of criticism but drew a clear line at what he described as a targeted smear campaign: “I endure falsehoods, slander, and character attacks with patience. What I cannot accept, however, is the systematic effort to portray me as being in conflict with the Primate of the Church of Cyprus. Lies, distortions, and insinuations will not alter the truth.”
Seeking to clarify his attendance at the upcoming memorial service at the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries, the Metropolitan outlined the timeline of events leading up to the service. “I had informed in advance of my intention to attend the memorial service… Two weeks ago, we were notified that His Beatitude would officiate the memorial service. We immediately informed both the Mayor and the Secretary that I would also be present.”
He added that he had communicated directly with the Archbishop earlier in the week. “On Monday, during His Beatitude’s visit to Paphos, I personally reiterated my intention to attend. I even extended an invitation for a shared meal, which His Beatitude was unable to accept due to a prior liturgical commitment in Nicosia that same afternoon.”
Regarding the extraordinary Holy Synod session scheduled for Thursday, the Metropolitan said he was informed at the same time as all other members.
He said: “I was officially informed—along with the other Synod members—on the afternoon of Friday, May 16. I had no prior knowledge of the meeting’s scheduling or the agenda items to be discussed. Naturally, and with the utmost respect, I will be present.”
Read the official Statement by Metropolitan of Paphos
As Metropolitan of Paphos, a member of the Holy Synod, and above all, as a humble member of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, I express my respect, honor, and sincere desire for the paternal love of His Beatitude, whom I have never offended or undermined—neither in word nor in deed.
I endure falsehoods, slander, and character attacks with patience. What I cannot accept, however, is the systematic effort to portray me as being in conflict with the Primate of the Church of Cyprus. Lies, distortions, and insinuations will not alter the truth.
To clarify recent events: I had informed in advance of my intention to attend the memorial service at the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries in Kato Paphos on Sunday, May 18. Two weeks ago, we were notified that His Beatitude would officiate the memorial service. We immediately informed both the Mayor and the Secretary that I would also be present. Furthermore, on Monday, during His Beatitude’s visit to Paphos, I personally reiterated my intention to attend. I even extended an invitation for a shared meal, which His Beatitude was unable to accept due to a prior liturgical commitment in Nicosia that same afternoon.
Lastly, regarding the extraordinary session of the Holy Synod convened for Thursday, I was officially informed—along with the other Synod members—on the afternoon of Friday, May 16. I had no prior knowledge of the meeting’s scheduling or the agenda items to be discussed. Naturally, and with the utmost respect, I will be present.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
