Hierarch of the Church of Cyprus: "Since we are not reformed through peace, we will be reformed through difficult surgery"

The hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphos, has issued a grave warning regarding the year 2026, calling it potentially the most critical turning point in human history. The hierarch warns of the possibility of a «supreme and prophetic world war» caused by the accumulation of tensions between major powers and a spiritual crisis within the Church itself, and calls for increased prayer and repentance as the primary defense.

According to OrthoChristian, in his homily delivered on Sunday, January 11, the hierarch said, «We have entered a very dangerous year,» referring to analyses and prophecies suggesting that 2026 could be the year of the great conflagration. He noted that major powers are preparing for a final confrontation and spoke of the threat of atmospheric pollution from nuclear weapons that world powers are considering using.

«Since we are not reformed through peace, we will be reformed through difficult surgery,» Metropolitan Neophytos explained, adding that God permits such trials because of the unrepentance and sins of humanity. He warned that all creation and humanity will be tested in their faith and patience.

Vladyka linked these impending military and political threats to spiritual failures within the Church itself. In an interview in February 2024, he explained how secular authorities are filling the vacuum left by compromised Church leadership. «A serious problem in the Church today is that Synods, Primates and bishops do not always follow Church guidelines, but often act on the basis of national interests. The policy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate … is based on national criteria. This is a very big problem — the connection between the Orthodox Faith and national consensus. The Russians have the same problem, and the Serbs have the same problem, » the Metropolitan said.

«And where Church decisions do not convey the Truth of Christ to the people, the Lord humbly gives politicians, military and economists the opportunity to realize their own plans, » he added.

Metropolitan Neophytos insists that hierarchs must rise above personal and political interests «and not cooperate with the KGB, CIA or Cypriot intelligence, to be open-minded people who are grounded in the Holy Gospel and the canons of the Orthodox Church.» In response to the threats facing 2026, the Metropolitan emphasizes the Divine Liturgy as the primary spiritual defense. «It is full of energies that surround us and enter into us, sanctifying our soul and body,» he notes.

Recall, earlier we reported that the suspended Metropolitan Tihik announced his intention to appeal to the civil courts of the Republic of Cyprus in January 2026. His goal is to seek reinstatement as ruling bishop of the Paphos Metropolis, as he considers the decisions taken against him illegal.