Synod of Cyprus Church sets date for election of Metropolitan of Paphos

Archbishop's Palace in Nicosia. Photo: open sources

The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus unanimously approved a new Charter and officially announced the election of a new Metropolitan of Paphos. As UOJ in Greece reported, the Synod will resume its work on Tuesday, May 26.

At the upcoming session, the Synod will consider and approve the list of candidates for the Paphos see, after which it will likely proceed directly to the election. Under the established criteria, candidates must be at least 35 years old, have a theological education, and have ten years of “fruitful service” in the priestly or monastic rank.

The key innovation of the adopted Charter is the change to the procedure for electing metropolitans. From now on, this process falls entirely within the competence of the Holy Synod. Archbishop Georgios thanked the members of the Synod for the “calm and constructive” dialogue, during which other church procedures were also updated.

Answering questions about the fate of the removed Metropolitan of Paphos, Tychikos, the Primate of the Church of Cyprus was categorical. “For the Church, this matter has been resolved and closed. The issue is exhausted; he is under suspension,” Archbishop Georgios stressed.

He also confirmed that Cyprus’ relations with the Patriarchate of Constantinople remain unchanged, and that Patriarch Bartholomew is recognized as “first among equals.”

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Supreme Court of Cyprus rejected Metropolitan Tychikos’ appeal. At that time, the judicial stage of the conflict over his status was at the center of attention, whereas now the Synod’s focus has shifted toward completing institutional steps concerning the Paphos see.

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