Сypriot hierarch: When sacred canons are violated, we must respond

Metropolitan Nikiforos of Kykkos and Tylliria of the Church of Cyprus. Photo: romfea.gr

It is necessary to respond to the recognition of the head of the OCU by the Archbishop of Cyprus, who went the “papal path” and ignored the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Nikiforos of Kykkos and Tylliria said in an interview with the “ΡΙΚ” TV channel.

“When the holy canons and the Charter are violated, we are obliged to react,” the Cypriot hierarch said, commenting on the situation around the commemoration of Epiphany by Archbishop Chrysostomos.

The metropolitan noted that the reaction of the four hierarchs of the Church of Cyprus was caused by the actions of Archbishop Chrysostomos, who began to commemorate Epiphany, disregarding and rejecting the Holy Synod.

The bishop stressed that he is neither pro-Russian nor pro-American but adheres to the canons and the Charter of the Church.

“When they act according to the sacred canons, then our soul rejoices and we support them, but when these rules and timeless church traditions, as well as sacramental order and practice, are violated, then we react and must respond. Because, following the voice of our episcopal conscience, woe to us if we remain silent. If we are as mute as a fish, then we also become accomplices,” said Metropolitan Nikiforos.

The Cypriot hierarch noted that the problem of the Church of Cyprus is that "some decisions were made under the pressure of geopolitical, geostrategic and geo-economic interests".

As reported by the UOJ, earlier Metropolitan Nikiforos said that the Cypriot Church is on the verge of schism.

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