Two new bishops enthroned in Cyprus

Two new bishops were enthroned over the weekend, bringing Archbishop Chrysostomos II’s vision of restructuring the church closer to its implementation.

Bishop of Constantia and Famagusta Vasilios was enthroned at the St. George Church in Paralimni while Bishop of Kykkos and Tillirias Nikiforos was enthroned at the Monastery of Kykkos on Sunday.

Speaking during the enthronement of Bishop of Kykkos and Tillirias Nikiforos, Archbishop Chrysostomos said “the Church is happy to see its restructuring and reorganization after eight centuries of Holy Synod meetings”.

He said that for “us in Cyprus and especially for you, where a significant part of your bishopric is under occupation and many of your faithful are scattered in the free areas of the Republic, violently persecuted from their homes, your role cannot be restricted to a purely spiritual one”.

“In our capacity as church, we ought to raise our voice in favour of the rights of our people…We should take courage and bravery from the fact that Hellenism has not only survived but has also excelled”, the Archbishop added.

The Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Cyprus also said that the greatest challenge which the church is facing is its relation and the message it is conveying to the people.

In his reply, Bishop of Kykkos and Tilliria Nikiforos assured his flock that he will always carry out with actions and not words, the church orders and will make every effort for a dedicated mission which will respond to the challenges of the times.

He also assured that among his priorities are the drugs problem on the island, unemployment, crime and violence.

Bishop of Kykkos – Tillirias said he will safeguard with all his strength the holy traditions and church institutions.

Addressing the Bishop of Constantia and Famagusta, Archbishop Chrysostomos said “you are enthroned bishop not, however within the historic town but close to it, and it is your duty and our duty to fight hard to free Famagusta and all other occupied areas from the Turkish occupation”.

“It is a grave national and religious duty which we must not forget but we should always have in our main goals and visions”, Archbishop Chrysostomos added.

He said that since his flock is spread all over the island, “the Bishop of Constantia and Famagusta ought to visit all bishoprics and encourage, as well as comfort his people”.

In his reply, Bishop of Constantia and Famagusta Vasilios expressed the view that the continued occupation of part of Cyprus creates all kinds of repercussions which “demand the continued attention and interest of the Church”.

Noting that the Church does not propose a political involvement in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, the new bishop said that on the other hand, “the notable, classic and modern responsibility and mission of the church imposes on it the duty to monitor the political developments and express its concerns over the progress of the national issue”.

He also said that he will undertake “coordinated efforts and actions, to save the cultural monuments of Cyprus and the religious identity of the people of Cyprus”.