Cypriot theologian on Synod's decision: Epiphany has no valid ordination

Christos Ikonomou. Photo: romfea.gr

The head of the OCU Epiphany does not have a valid consecration, and the decision of the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus to back Archbishop Chrysostomos is not mandatory. This was announced on the air of one of the Cypriot TV channels by the head of the Department of Theology of the University of Nicosia, Christos Ikonomou, Romfea reports.

The theologian pointed out that the decision of the Cypriot Synod of November 25, 2020 contradicts its previous unanimous decisions on the "Ukrainian issue". Thus, he noted, it does not answer the questions raised at the meeting on February 18, 2019, when the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus announced it would not recognize the OCU due to the invalidity of the priestly and episcopal ordinations in this religious structure.

The professor is convinced that this decision of the Synod of the Church of Cyprus is not binding, since it has to do with the issues of "doctrine, faith, truth, which relate to the essence, life, ecclesiology and salvation".

He also referred to the historical precedents of the Synods, when decisions adopted by a majority vote were canceled, and de facto supported the position of those Cypriot hierarchs who opposed the stance of their Primate Archbishop Chrysostomos with regard to the OCU.

As a reminder, on November 25, 2020, Metropolitan Nikiforos of Kykkos and Tilliria of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus said that the decision taken by the Holy Synod to support the position of Archbishop Chrysostomos is not binding, since it is a "matter of faith". He emphasized that during the Synod, "differences were recorded", and the final result was 10 against 7 (with one abstaining).

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