Church of Cyprus prepares to elect new metropolitan of Paphos amid internal crisis

The Church of Cyprus is entering a crucial phase of the process of electing a new metropolitan of Paphos, which Archbishop George II said should be completed by the end of May. According to Greek publication Vima Orthodoxias, the process is taking place amid serious internal trials, legal disputes and close attention from the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

A key stage in the preparations will be a series of Holy Synod meetings scheduled for May 18, 19 and 20. The main task of the hierarchs will be to discuss and approve the new Church Charter. Elections are expected to be announced immediately after the ratification of the new regulations, as the completion of this reform is an official condition for the start of the voting procedure.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus emphasized that the current crisis surrounding the Metropolis of Paphos is not personal, but ecclesiological in nature. According to the Archbishop, the main claims of the Holy Synod are related to manifestations of Zealotism and deviations from the canonical order, in particular, in matters of attitude towards other Christian denominations. The leadership of the Church seeks to shift the discussion into theological and institutional terms in order to preserve the overall unity.

At the same time, the situation is complicated by the actions of the defense of the former metropolitan. Lawyers claim procedural violations in the decisions of the Synod and are considering the possibility of appealing to the Supreme Court of Cyprus to appeal the current rulings. Law enforcement authorities are also investigating incidents of tension inside the church, where police intervention was required, according to sources. Representatives of the former hierarch have alleged instances of forced removal from the altar, which could give the case a criminal twist.

Despite the existing disagreements, the Holy Synod prioritizes stability and institutional continuity. The issue of deprivation of dignity is not being considered at the upcoming meetings. The future Metropolitan of Paphos will have to possess not only a high theological training but also diplomatic skills in order to restore the confidence of the parishioners and ensure the peaceful development of the diocese after the protracted crisis.