Metropolitan Nikephoros of Kykkos did not leave unchallenged the references of Archbishop Chrysostomos to him and to the person of Metropolitan of Tamasos, Isaiah, in an interview with the newspaper Politis, characterizing the Protestants, because of their position on the issue of the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Church.
Annoyed, the Metropolitan of Kykkos issued a written statement in which he speaks of impermissible characterizations on the part of the Archbishop, asking for a response to restore the truth and the dignity of the Archbishop, as he says.
"These references raise questions, if not scandalize the faithful, so justice demands that an answer be given to restore the truth and my Archpriestly dignity."
With regard to the Ukrainian issue and the position of the Church of Cyprus on the whole issue, which His Beatitude raises, the Metropolitan says, he knows very well that there are two unanimous Synodal decisions (February 12 and September 9, 2020), which include the observance of neutrality on this issue".
"He himself, as it appears from his interview, I am sure that he will remember these positions of the Synod, on the matter in question. We therefore submit to him with candour: Who violated these decisions in absentia of the Synod, during the Collect (October 24, 2020) at the Holy Monastery of Chrysorrogiatissi, where the ordination of the Theophilos Bishop of Pagrati was held, commemorating Epiphanios? Of course, he himself!", he says.
He also points out that "as far as the characterizations, with which he stigmatizes me and another Hierarch, as "Protestants" and "outside the Church" are concerned, this violates every trace of ecclesiological ethics and fraternal behavior. And in any case, for the sake of truth, we declare that there has never been any such dialogue between us. Violators are those who falsify or despise ecclesiastical rules and ecclesiastical statutes."
Finally, it notes that "despite our given respect for the person of His Beatitude and his health, we regret to report that His Beatitude, unfortunately, is repeating himself, as far as the smearing of persons and the falsification of facts are concerned."
The statement of Nikephoros Kykkos:
"Regarding the second part of the interview of His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos in the newspaper "Politis", Monday, June 6, 2022,
we have the following to state:
In the said interview His Beatitude, among other things, refers to my person with impermissible characterizations.[/I][BR]Therefore, because these references raise questions, if not scandalize the faithful, justice demands that an answer be given in order to restore the truth and my dignity as Archpriest. First of all, with regard to the Ukrainian issue and the position of the Church of Cyprus on the whole issue, which His Beatitude raises, he knows very well that there are two unanimous Synodal decisions (12 February and 9 September 2020), which include the observance of neutrality on this issue. He himself, as it appears from his interview, I am sure that he will remember these positions of the Synod on the matter in question. We therefore submit to him with candour: Who violated the said decisions in absentia of the Synod, during the Collect (October 24, 2020) in the Holy Monastery of Chrysorrogiatissi, where the ordination of His Grace Bishop
Pangrati, mentioning Epiphanios?
Certainly, he himself!
As for the characterizations with which he stigmatizes me and another Hierarch as "Protestants" and "outside the Church", this destroys every trace of ecclesiological ethics and fraternal behavior. And in any case, for the sake of truth, we declare that there has never been any such dialogue between us. Violators are those who falsify or despise the ecclesiastical rules and ecclesiastical statutes.
Despite our given respect for the person of His Beatitude and his good health, we regret to report that His Beatitude, unfortunately, repeats himself with regard to the smearing of persons and the
misrepresentation of facts."
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