Cyprus top clergy agree to Archbishop elections

After at least two years of fighting, the Holy Synod comprising Cyprus’ top clergy unanimously decided on Wednesday to hold elections for the seat of Archbishop on September 24, 2006.

The new archbishop will be elected by Cypriot voters.

The announcement was made by Bishop of Paphos Chrysostomos after a morning meeting of the Holy Synod, where clergymen also decided that election lists be made public in June to allow time for any possible objections.

Last week, a broad meeting of senior clergymen, chaired by the head of the Greek Orthodox Church Patriarch Bartholomew, convened in Switzerland and decided to honourably vacate the position of Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus, a decision that paved the way for elections for a new Archbishop.

Archbishop Chrysostomos has been incapacitated for the past four years and is unable to perform his duties as the head of the Church.

In statements after the session was completed, the Paphos Bishop said the Holy Synod’s decision is final because it was unanimous.

Asked why the elections will be held in September instead of June, Bishop Chrysostomos noted that time is needed since there are many difficulties to hold them earlier. “Just as we said many times, if we had submitted the candidacies on 22 June, we would have not been in a position to hold elections on 25st June. It would be completely impossible. So we unanimously decided to overcome all difficulties. The Holy Synod, as the highest authority, is entitled to appoint a date of election”.

He also said that “half the people on the island will be on holiday. We have four whole months, and any problem arises, we will overcome it”.