Jerusalem, December 27, 2022
Photo: postsen.com
Every Orthodox primate is responsible for preserving Church unity, the Patriarch of Jerusalem reminds the new Archbishop of Cyprus in his fraternal greetings.
Metropolitan Georgios of Paphos was elected the new Archbishop of Cyprus by the Holy Synod on Saturday, following the repose of Archbishop Chrysostomos in November.
Congratulating the Archbishop and assuring him of his prayers, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos also reminds Abp. Georgios:
At this time, when schisms and dissensions are shaking the unity of our One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Orthodox Church, every reasonable effort is required on the part of all the Primates of the Local Orthodox brotherly Churches to ensure and preserve the God-ordered unity that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Rom. 15:6).
Recall that the previous Archbishop of Cyprus was among those primates who decided to enter into communion with the schismatics of the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine”—a decision which then-Metropolitan Georgios of Paphos fully supported. On the other hand, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem has continued to maintain an Orthodox stance on the Ukrainian ecclesiastical issue, recognizing only the canonical Church under His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Abp. Georgios addressed a letter to Patriarch Bartholomew, formally informing him of his election, and assuring him of his fidelity to the Orthodox faith, and that he will do all he can for Church unity.
Also among his first acts as primate of the Local Church of Cyprus is to pledge his loyalty and support for the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
In his own letter, Pat. Bartholomew emphasizes all that the Patriarchate has done for the Church of Cyprus.
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