Rift in Church of Cyprus Over Ukraine Deepens

Archbishop Chrysostom of Cyprus. Pic – Wiki

OCP News Service – 25/7/21

Nicosia – Cyprus: The rift between Archbishop Chrysostom and seven bishops of the Holy Synod of Cyprotic Orthodox Church has further deepened over the recognition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

Metropolitan Athanasius of Limassol, Neophyte of Morphia, Metropolitan Nikiforos of Kykkos, Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamasos, Bishop Nicholas of Amafunt, Bishop Epiphanius of Ledera and Bishop Porphyrios of Neapolis are hesitant to recognize the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, whereas Archbishop of Cyprus and the rest of the Synod members recognise the newly created OCU.

According to a report by the Ukrainian Weekly, Archbishop Chrysostom has warned the bishops by stating that “the refusal of hierarchs to perform conciliar service indicates disrespect for the decisions of the Synod and an attempt to “circumvent the primate”. He also stated that if he takes action, then these Bishops will cease to be members of the Holy Synod.

Rift in Church of Cyprus Continues as Several Bishops Skip Consecration of the New Nicosia Cathedral

The rift has also delayed the canonisation of Martyr Archbishop Kyprianos of Cyprus and the 486 prominent Cypriots who were murdered by the Ottoman in July 1821, reports Cyprus Mial.

Source:
OCP News Service