Day: November 12, 2022

The funeral service of Archbishop Chrysostomos II, head of the Autocephalous Church of Cyprus, will take place today at the cathedral of Saint Barnabas in Nicosia.

Archbishop Chrysostomos II of of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus passed away on November 7th at the age of 81 following a four-year battle with cancer.

The funeral service will be officiated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew – who is visiting Cyprus for the first time- together with the members of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades will deliver the eulogy, while on behalf of the Church of Cyprus the eulogy will be delivered by Bishop of Paphos Georgios, Secretary of the Holy Synod of Cyprus, and following the death of Archbishop Chrysostomos II, custodian of the throne. The funeral will be attended among others by President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakelaropoulou, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos II and Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain Nikitas.

During the funeral, bells will toll in mourning in all churches across Cyprus, while flags will be flying at half-mast.

The late Archbishop will be buried in a crypt located under the newly constructed cathedral, as was his wish.

The Archbishopric said in a statement that there will be no laying of wreaths and that people should come to the cathedral by 11:15 am.

Police security measures will be increased around the Archbishopric and the cathedral. Both inside and outside the church there will be members of the Police who will ensure that everything runs smoothly.

All churches in Cyprus will hold a service in his memory on Sunday, while a service will be held every day for 40 days at the cathedral.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The European Union rejects the statements by Turkey “about the acceptance of the Turkish Cypriot secessionist entity, the so-called, internationally not recognised, ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’, as an observer in the Organisation of Turkic States”, Commission spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Peter Stano said in a written statement.

“This decision, pending ratification of Organisation’s members, is regrettable and is contradicting the fact that several members of the Organisation expressed strong support to the principle of territorial integrity and the UN Charter,” Stano added.

He noted that the EU “has made it repeatedly clear, including at highest political level, that the EU recognises only the Republic of Cyprus as a subject of international law, in accordance with the respective UN Security Council Resolutions”.

“Any action to facilitate or assist in any way the international recognition of Turkish Cypriot secessionist entity severely damages efforts to create an environment conducive to resuming settlement talks under the auspices of the United Nations,” he stressed.

“The EU is fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and in line with the EU acquis and the principles on which the EU is founded. There is no alternative to it,” he underlined.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

We bid farewell to a religious and spiritual leader, who has played a profound role in securing the Autocephalous and the autonomy of the Church of Cyprus through bold reforms he achieved, Cyprus President wrote on Saturday morning in the book of condolences for the Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II.

Accompanied by members of the Council of Ministers and officials of the Presidency, President Anastasiades went to the Archbishopric where he signed the book of condolences.

Anastasiades expressed his profound sorrow for the Archbishop’s death noting that “we bid farewell to a caring religious leader who in deeds stood by those in need, who cared for the young people.”

Moreover, the President said that the Archbishop was concerned about the liberation of Cyprus and the survival of the Hellenism of Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus.

He also said that the Archbishop supported the government’s efforts for a state with rule of law, social justice and prosperity for its people.

Ministers and officials of the Presidency also signed the book of condolences.

The President and his escort then went to Apostle Varnavas Cathedral to attend the Archbishop’s funeral

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades will meet with Assistant UN Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas in the United Nations Department of Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca, who will visit the island as part of efforts to resume UN-led talks on Cyprus.

The meeting will take place on Thursday, Andreas Iosif, Director of President Anastasiades’ Press Office said in a written statement.

Iosif said that during his meeting with the UN envoy, Anastasiades will “reiterate the Greek Cypriot side’s will and readiness for the resumption of the talks for a solution to the Cyprus problem within the agreed UN framework.”

“The continuation of the efforts aiming to resume the process for the solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of bizonal bicommunal federation remains our steadfast position”, Iosif added.

Following instructions by the UN SG Antonio Guterres, Jenca undertook fact-finding missions to Cyprus in a bid to create conditions for the resumption of the UN-led negotiating process over a settlement to the Cyprus problem.

Jenca visited Cyprus in the past July and met with President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou praised the late Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus, Chrysostomos II work of historic significance, noting she is certain that his contemporaries will follow “his solid legacy.”

Addressing the funeral of the late primate of the Cypriot Church, Sakellaropoulou paid tribute Chrysostomos the Second, noting he leaves behind a work of historic significance for the Church of Cyprus, which was the only one to be described as autocephalous (autonomous) by the Ecumenic Synod while it highlighted the series of superior priests, who not only devoted their lives to the nation but also did not hesitate to sacrifice it.

The Greek head of state also recalled that the Church of Cyprus also took part in the Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church in Crete which acknowledged the autocephalous Church of Ukraine.

“This is the tradition, the place and the apostolic identity of the Church of Cyprus, which he safeguarded and cultivated thanks to his tireless contribution, his bravery, courage and his strong religious and national intuition,” she said.

“The ones to follow are called on to serve this unique identity,” Sakellaropoulou said, noting she is certain that “following his solid legacy they will rise to the stature of this ancient archbishopric throne of Hellenism.”

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Late Archbhishop Chrysostomos II was a great leader of the Orthodoxy and the Hellenism of Cyprus, Greek President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou wrote on Saturday in the book of condolences for the Archbishop’s death.

“I express my own sincere condolences and those of the people of Greece for the death of Archbishop Chrysostomos II. He has been a great leader of the Orthodoxy and the Hellenism of Cyprus,” Sakellaropoulou wrote.

Moreover, she noted that the Archbhishop “leaves his enduring mark on the history of the Church of Cyprus.”

After Sakellaropoulou, Greek Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Niki Kerameus, also signed the book.

She wrote that the Archbishop worked with selflessness for the Church of Cyprus, the country and Hellenism.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Pope Francis expressed on Saturday deep gratitude for the positive contribution of late Archbishop Chrysostomos II “to the vital journey towards the full Communion of the Orthodox and the Catholics”.

In a message read out by Cardinal Kurt Koch, during the Archbishop’s funeral in Nicosia, the Pope expressed sorrow for the Archbishop’s passing and sent heart-felt condolences to the faithful of the Church of Cyprus.

Moreover, he noted that the Archbishop dedicated his life to the service of the Gospel and that he fostered with his work the spiritual growth of the flock entrusted to his care.

Pope Francis also recalled his meeting with the Archbishop last year in Cyprus, expressing the belief that his memory will continue to be an inspiration for Christians everywhere.

He said that he will pray asking God to grant the people of Cyprus his gifts of consolation, serenity, and peace.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, said on Saturday that the late Archbishop of Cyprus, Chrysostomos II, was a tireless clergyman who carried out a multidimensional task, and has become one of the most prominent religious figures.

In his eulogy at the Archbishop’s funeral, at Apostle Varnavas Cathedral, in Nicosia, Anastasiades said that the Archbishop was theologically educated, had a genuine spirituality, ethics, sound judgment, was wise and loyal to his country.

Anastasiades’ praised the Archbishop’s contribution to the reforms related to the Church of Cyprus, that involved the re-establishment and establishment of Bishoprics, the increase of number of the Holy Synod members and the drafting and implementation of the new Constitutional Charter of the Church.

He also noted that the Archbishop managed through his firm stance to secure the Autocephalous of the Church of Cyprus from any foreign influence or dependence.

This allowed the Church of Cyprus to have a primary role in the theological and spiritual developments related to the Orthodox world, and to promote cooperation among religions and cultures, he added.

Moreover, he noted that the Archbishop had undertaken the initiative for the establishment of Cyprus’ Theological School, with an unanimous decision taken by the Holy Synod.

Anastasiades noted that the Archbishop decisively contributed in the construction of dozens of churches, including the Apostle Varnavas Cathedral.

The President also said that the Archbishop worked with a view to save Cyprus’ cultural heritage and had shown interest in finding and repatriating religious and other artefacts stolen from the occupied part of Cyprus.

He said that the Primate of the Church of Cyprus also achieved a prudent management of the Church of Cyprus assets and helped people in need.

Anastasiades said that during his term of office he met a clergyman who was genuine and a patriot, who was concerned about the survival of the Hellenism of Cyprus, without ignoring the Turkish Cypriots’ rights.

He always wanted the peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem, that would lead to the reunification and the liberation of our country from the occupation troops, any foreign dependencies, and to the establishment of a state that would function with respect to the human rights of all citizens, he added.

Aastasiades said that they had an excellent and sincere cooperation with the Archbishop, with mutual respect, despite any disagreements.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus has extended its deep condolences to Egypt over the tragic bus accident on Saturday that claimed the lives of many people.

The Foreign Ministry said in a post on its Twitter account that “Cyprus extends its deep condolences to our strategic partner Egypt and to our Egyptian friends for the tragic bus accident earlier today in the northern province.”

“Our thoughts are with the grieving families while hoping for the speedy recovery of the ones injured,” it concluded.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II was laid to rest on Saturday in a crypt beneath Apostle Varnavas Cathedral, near the Archbishopric, exactly 16 years after his enthronement on November 12, 2006.

The Archbishop died on Monday, aged 81, following a battle with cancer.

The funeral service was officiated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who visited Cyprus for the first time, together with the members of the Holy Synod, and was attended by religious, political and other officials, as well as many people.

As church bells tolled, following the funeral, Chrysostomos’ open casket was led away to a crypt beneath the Cathedral. Before being entombed, clerics removed his outer golden vestments, covered him in muslin and doused the shroud with oil in the sign of the cross, chanting Byzantine hymns.

During the burial an army contingent paid tribute firing three shots in the air outside the Archbishopric. House President Annita Demetriou was among those who were present at the burial.

Source: Cyprus News Agency