Phanar hierarch in U.S. regrets the pain inflicted on Cypriot brothers

Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis). Photo: orthodoxtimes

The head of the American Archdiocese of Phanar, Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis), said that he regretted the pain he unwittingly inflicted on the Cypriot brothers by his participation in the opening of the Turkish Center in New York. He wrote about this on his Facebook page on September 24.

According to him, he understands very well the pain, feelings and reactions of his Cypriot brothers, but his presence at the event had the same goal as always, viz. "honest and courageous dialogue in the name of peace and the protection of religious freedom."

“I sincerely regret the pain I unwittingly inflicted on my Cypriot and Greek-American brothers, notably my beloved flock. I pray that a just and sustainable solution will be found in Cyprus, according to the expectations of the Cypriot people, on the basis of international law and the protection of human rights, in accordance with UN resolutions, and I am working in this direction,” the Phanar hierarch wrote and stressed that the American the archdiocese is always "beside Hellenism everywhere, defending its aspirations."

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the presence of the head of the Phanar Archdiocese in the United States at the opening of the "Turkish Center" in New York together with the heads of Turkey and the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has caused discontent with the Greek, Cypriot and Armenian communities, while the authorities of Greece and Cyprus canceled meetings with him.

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