Philenews

Holy Synod to Restructure the Constitution of the Church of Cyprus

Published January 14, 2026, 12:21
Holy Synod to Restructure the Constitution of the Church of Cyprus

The Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus has decided to restructure its Constitution, including the electoral process for the selection of Bishops and Metropolitans. This change comes after a proposal by the Archbishop of Cyprus, George, which envisioned the election of these officials without the participation of the faithful, meaning a selection process by the Holy Synod itself. The restructuring process is expected to take several months, during which the guardianship of the Metropolis of Paphos will be exercised by the Archbishop. At the same time, the Synod deemed the religious ceremonies organized by the defrocked monks of the Monastery of Abbakum invalid, stating that they do not offer sanctifying grace to the participants. This decision concerns the hermitage established by the monks after their defrocking. The Archbishop's proposal for the election of the Archbishop remains unchanged, maintaining the participation of the faithful in the process. The restructuring of the Constitution is expected to bring significant changes to the way the Church of Cyprus operates, especially regarding the election of its senior clergy. The decision to restructure the Constitution and extend the guardianship of the Metropolis of Paphos are important steps for the Church of Cyprus, as they mark a period of change and adaptation to modern needs.