Last update: 20:56
Our goal, compass and guide of our actions is the well-understood interest of our flock, stated to CyNA Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus.
Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus, who is in quarantine in Paphos, stated that the Church of Cyprus had its head, who, as he noted, maintained very good relations with the president of Cyprus and the government through regular cooperation.
The Archbishop of Cyprus called on the doctors, who in a letter had asked the president to immediately open the churches with measures, “to mind their own business,” noting that “there is no need to meddle in the church affairs.”
He reiterated that the Church had an excellent relationship and contact with the president and the government.
Consequently, the Archbishop said, the government “has its advisers and will make its decision,” adding that “the Church of Cyprus, in turn, will meet the president of Cyprus in order to express her opinion.”
He also said that the Church would not be influenced by those “do-gooders” who aim at finding themselves at the spotlight by taking advantage of the church issues.
As he explained, his goal, compass and guide of his actions is the “well-understood interest of his flock and of the world that the Church serves.”
The Archbishop sent a clear message, “We are not going to do anything so that the Church will be accused of bringing the re-opening of the churches forwards, as a result of which the coronavirus cases will start increasing once again.”
If they were right, he said, “first of all, they had to meet the head of the Church, that is, the Archbishop, and listen to what he intends to do. And if they did not agree with what he would tell them, then they could revolt.”
Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus noted that the Church has its head who is in contact with the president of Cyprus, the government, the minister and the other officials while estimating that the president will not be influenced by various emotional outbursts of some nor will he resort to populist tactics.
The issue of church attendance has been the subject of controversy in recent days, through open letters among the members of the scientific community of Cyprus.
Speaking with Cyprus Times, the head of the Church of Cyprus said that his primary interest was the protection of the faithful, and that the church attendance could be gradually restored.
“We think that a certain number of believers can go to the church, but each one should keep a distance of 10 meters. Churches can be open daily for the faithful while avoiding the mass gathering in them,” he said.
“One day some faithful will go and the next day some others will go to the church,” said the primate of the Church of Cyprus.
The Archbishop pointed out that this issue needed attention, and, as he stated, “even if they told me today that I should open the churches, I would not do it without a plan.”
According to information from Cyprus Times, both the Archbishop and the president of Cyprus intend to communicate on the re-opening of the churches while it is excluded that the two will have a telephone conversation.