Metropolitan Isaiah: If I become Primate, I won’t revise the issue of OCU

Metropolitan Isaiah in atypical for Greek-speaking bishops "Russian" vestment. Photo: orthodoxia.info

On December 14, 2022, Metropolitan Isaiah (Kykkotis) of Tamassos and Orinis said that if he became the Primate of the Church of Cyprus, he would not revise the recognition of the OCU.

During an interview with “Reporter”, the journalist reminded Metropolitan Isaiah that not too long ago his position on the issue of OCU recognition was negative and it was because of this that relations with the late Archbishop Chrysostomos were broken. "Have you revised your position since the invasion of Ukraine?" the journalist asked.

Metropolitan Isaiah replied that given the facts "that we had at that time (when Metropolitan Isaiah opposed the OCU – Ed.), we rightly asked for the possibility of peace, through dialogue and neutrality, so that autocephaly in Ukraine could function properly."

"Now the theological facts have changed, but also, with the invasion, the national facts have also changed, since any revisionism undermines our own existence, as well as that of Greece. We are not ecclesiastically dependent on either the East or the West. We have Autocephaly and we must have an opinion on it, according to, always, and with the data, which we have before us," the hierarch said.

Metropolitan Isaiah stressed that "this issue (the recognition of the OCU – Ed.) has ended, and I will not, if elected, bring it before the Holy Synod again."

The bishop of Tamassos stated that all talk that his stance is associated with the relations with the Russian Church as well as rumours that he "serves its interests" are "a deliberate propaganda to deconstruct me because of the upcoming Archdiocesan elections."

He said his recent visit to the Phanar was designed to break down this "malicious propaganda about our intentions and attitude" and "the relations with the Phanar are even stronger than they have been in the past".

As earlier reported, the Metropolitan of Tamassos concelebrated with the OCU "archbishop" at the Phanar.

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