Patriarch of Jerusalem establishes commission on Cyprus affairs

Patriarch Theophilos receives Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos. Photo: Jerusalem Patriarchate

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem announced the establishment of a special commission on Cyprus affairs under the Patriarchate’s Financial Department. He made the announcement on September 15, 2026, during a meeting with Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos, according to the press service of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.

The new commission will oversee the development of the Patriarchate’s property in Nicosia, where its Exarchate operates with jurisdiction throughout Cyprus under Metropolitan Timotheos of Bostra. According to Patriarch Theophilos, the commission will cooperate with both the Exarchate and the Nicosia municipality in addressing matters related to Church property on the island.

The meeting took place at the Patriarch’s residence in the presence of Nicosia municipal officials and Stavros Mariou, the Republic of Cyprus’s diplomatic representative in Ramallah.

Following an exchange of gifts, the mayor of Nicosia visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to venerate its holy sites, accompanied by Patriarchal Vicar Metropolitan Hesychios of Capitolias.

The Jerusalem Patriarchate has historically owned substantial real estate outside the Holy Land, including property in Cyprus.

As the UOJ reported, Metropolitan Timotheos of Bostra sent a letter of support to Metropolitan Arseniy, abbot of the Sviatohirsk Lavra, and the monastic community.

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