Six candidates will run in elections for new head of Cypriot Orthodox Church
Six high priests have put forward their candidacies for the seat of Archbishop of New Justiniana and All Cyprus, the administrator of the archdiocesan elections, Ioannis Harilau said, his statement was broadcast by Sigma TV.
The election will take place on the passing on November 7 of Archbishop Chrysostom II, who led the Cypriot Church for 16 years.
The Synod of the Cypriot Orthodox Church has set December 18 general elections to elect three candidates for archbishop. The Synod will choose a new head of the church from among them. Acceptance of applications from candidates ended Tuesday morning.
“Written statements of interest for the archbishop’s throne were submitted by Metropolitan George of Paphos, Metropolitan Chrysostom of Kyrenia, Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol, Metropolitan Neophytes of Morphou, Metropolitan Basil of Constantia and Ammochostos and Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamas and Orin,” Harilau reported.
According to him, they meet the necessary criteria. He said that the preparation for the elections is carried out with the support of the state, according to the schedule.
The TV channel clarified that Bishop Christopher of Karpasia will not run for elections, he sent a written notice to this effect. Metropolitan Nicephor of Kykkos has expressed support for Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamas.
According to an opinion poll conducted by Analytica Market Research for the Cyprus Times and published a month before the general election, Athanasios of Limassol is leading (34.7%), with Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamas (17.1%) in second place, while Metropolitans Basil of Constance (12.3%), George of Paphos (11.4%) and Neophytes of Morph (10.6%) will fight for third place. The survey was conducted from November 14 to 16 by means of telephone interviews and online questionnaires and was attended by 2330 people. The statistical error is 2.5%.
Of the six candidates for the archbishop’s throne, three – Athanasius, Isaiah, and Neophytes – spoke out against the recognition of the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine.