Nicosia, Cyprus, November 14, 2022
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
The process of selecting the next primate of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus will formally begin on Sunday, December 18, when the faithful are invited to cast their votes for their favorite candidate, reports the Orthodoxia News Agency.
The previous primate, Archbishop Chrysostomos II, who served as primate for 16 years, reposed in the Lord on November 7. He was buried at St. Barnabas Cathedral in Nicosia on Saturday.
This will be the first primatial election to be held since the adoption of the new Church statutes in 2010.
Voting is open to all Orthodox Christians 18 years and older who have lived in Cyprus for at least one year. Candidates include all hierarchs of the Cypriot Church and single clergy 35 years and older who have a recognized Orthodox theological degree and at least 10 years of fruitful ministry as a cleric or monk.
The names of the people’s three favorites are then passed on for a vote in the Holy Synod. To be elected Archbishop, the candidate must receive an absolute majority of the votes from the Synodal hierarchs. If none receives a majority, the top two move on to the second round of voting, and whichever candidate receives more votes from the members of the Holy Synod becomes the next Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus.
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