Cypriot Synod elects new Archbishop

Nicosia, Cyprus, December 24, 2022

Romfea Romfea     

The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus held its primatial elections today following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

According to the hierarchical votes, the next Archbishop of the Cypriot Church is Metropolitan Georgios of Paphos, reports Romfea.

On Sunday, the people voted for their three favorite candidates. For the second election in a row, Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol came out on top, this time with 35.68% of the popular vote. The Metropolitan of Paphos came in second with 18.39% of the vote, and Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamassos came in third with 18.1%.

According to the procedure outlined in the Cypriot Church statutes, those three names were then put to vote by the Holy Synod, and Met. Georgios of Paphos was chosen by a reported vote of 11 to 4, with one blank ballot.

The previous primate, Archbishop Chrysostomos, reposed in the Lord on November 7.

***

The new Archbishop was born in the village of Athienou in British-occupied Cyprus on May 25, 1949.

He studied chemistry at the University of Athens and then began his studies at the Theological School of Athens, from which he graduated in 1980. He did postgraduate studies in chemistry and theology in England.

He was ordained to the diaconate on December 23, 1984, and to the priesthood on March 17, 1985.

He worked as a professor of chemistry from 1985 to 1996, and in 1994 he was appointed Secretary of the Holy Synod.

On May 26, 1996, he was consecrated Titular Bishop of Arsinios, Vicar of the Diocese of Paphos. On December 29, 2006, he was elected Metropolitan of Paphos.

He has represented the Church of Cyprus at pan-Orthodox conferences and in the dialogue with the Catholic and Lutheran churches. He was also the president of the Synodal Bioethics and Education Committee.

In July 2013, he participated in the celebration of the 1,025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’, during which Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and All Russia awarded him the Order of St. Alexei, II degree.

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12/24/2022

See also
Cypriot faithful vote for primate: Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol is clear favorite Cypriot faithful vote for primate: Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol is clear favorite Cypriot faithful vote for primate: Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol is clear favorite Cypriot faithful vote for primate: Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol is clear favorite
The former primate, Archbishop Chrysostomos, reposed in the Lord on November 7, having served at the head of the Local Cypriot Church for 16 years. Cyprus: There are geopolitical criteria for choosing next Archbishop, says contender for primatial throne Cyprus: There are geopolitical criteria for choosing next Archbishop, says contender for primatial throne Cyprus: There are geopolitical criteria for choosing next Archbishop, says contender for primatial throne Cyprus: There are geopolitical criteria for choosing next Archbishop, says contender for primatial throne
Ecclesiastical issues are not the only considerations in the upcoming election for the next primate of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, says one of the six hierarchical candidates. Cypriot Synod changes statutes—non-citizens banned from voting for primate Cypriot Synod changes statutes—non-citizens banned from voting for primate Cypriot Synod changes statutes—non-citizens banned from voting for primate Cypriot Synod changes statutes—non-citizens banned from voting for primate
According to a decision by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus yesterday, non-Cypriot citizens are banned from voting in the upcoming elections for the next Church primate.
Comments
Theodoros 12/26/2022 4:06 pm
It has been more than clear that American and Ukrainian political interests view the Orthodox Church as a means to promote their anti Russian agenda. As. Greek, I am particularly outraged that they imposed their influence on the Greek Churches and Greek hierarchs have recognized the fake “church” in Ukraine. American officials have no respect for freedom of religion. The church of God is for them a prop to be used for political purposes. The Churches of Constantinople, Alexandria, Greece, and Cyprus are today non free as the Churches of Russia, Bulgaria, etc were once unfree. There is only one legitimate Church in Ukraine and that church is ruthlessly being persecuted by the regime in Kiev. We have every right to comment on what is happening in the Greek Churches who have done wrong by establishing communion with a pseudo “church”. The facts and the evidence have been obvious for a long time regarding American involvement in Church affairs.
Carlos12/26/2022 4:18 am
Is this archbishop in favor of the Union with Rome? I am a Sedevacantist Catholic and I am intrigued to know which Orthodox bishops are in line with the globalism of Pope Francis.
David12/26/2022 3:31 am
Who is lukewarm? Who is "we"? Tim's point is that people who don't know should wait and see, rather than spouting uninformed opinions, or reading it through the prism of one's political ideology (and "Orthodoxy" can become a political ideology). If a person views life as an Oliver Stone movie, it can lead to all sorts of distorted understandings.
anonsayswhat12/25/2022 8:30 pm
@Tim - Times are tough for the lukewarm. I understand your grievance, but no one cares. Time to choose wisely, we are not going to stop. I pray for the best of this new Archbishop, but it makes no sense this bishop being more popular in Cyprus than Kykkou or Morphou. Then slipping in the 3-way Synodal vote and winning. Time will tell if he's an ecumenist, a supporter of the clown church in Ukraine, a supporter of the robber synod of Crete, and lastly a supporter for the upcoming false union with Rome. We all notice it is in the works.
Tim12/25/2022 6:28 am
It's funny reading comments from certain people here, on facebook and on twitter, who firstly could not point out Cyprus on a map if you asked them to and then waxing lyrical about certain conspiracies regarding the Church Of Cyprus. I think it be best, if people who don't know anything, were actually quiet about who the new Archbishop is, to mind their own business, be respectful and to remain silent.
Theodoros12/24/2022 7:24 pm
What is his position on the Ukrainian schismatics?
God Will Not Be Mocked!12/24/2022 6:25 pm
Hahaha…what a pathetic joke!! It’s just as amusing as watching the elections in the USA! Masons win again!!
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