The process of submitting candidacies for the Metropolitan throne of Paphos was completed yesterday at 13:30, with attention now shifting to today’s session of the Holy Synod, during which the final list of candidates is expected to be approved. If no procedural issues or objections arise, the possibility of the immediate election of a new Metropolitan of Paphos remains open.
Four clerics ultimately submitted their candidacies in person. These are Archimandrite Ioannis, abbot of the Holy Stavropegic Monastery of the Apostle Barnabas, Archimandrite Sofronios of the Monastery of Panagia Trooditissa, Archimandrite Grigorios Ioannidis, Protosyngellos of the Metropolis of Trimythous and Dean of the Theological School of the Church of Cyprus, as well as Archimandrite and Protosyngellos of the Holy Metropolis of Paphos, Ioannis Theocharous.
Archimandrite Grigorios Ioannidis, who was ordained in 2001, has a long ecclesiastical and academic career, having completed 25 years of ministry, while significant interest is also focused on the candidacy of Archimandrite Ioannis, abbot of the Monastery of the Apostle Barnabas, who also submitted a letter formally announcing his decision to seek the Metropolitan throne of Paphos.
In his letter, Archimandrite Ioannis refers to his long-standing presence and contribution to the Metropolitan district of Paphos during the period 1985–2007, noting that he served the Church with love, dedication and responsibility, undertaking various duties and roles.
As he states, he decided to run in response, as he notes, to the expectations and needs of the people of Paphos, whom he described as “wonderful, responsible and striving.” At the same time, he emphasises that he cannot remain passive in developments. “Many times I have stressed that I cannot remain passive and become a deserter, but must always be on the front line,” he notes.
He also points out that his decision was taken with a sense of responsibility and love for the province of Paphos, guided, as he says, by the proper interest of the people and service to the Church.
At the same time, he expresses confidence both in divine providence and in the judgement of the members of the Holy Synod, expressing the belief that the most suitable and capable candidate will be chosen for the demanding pastoral role.
“They will choose the most capable and worthy, the most calm and unifying, so that he can meet the demands of the pastoral work,” he notes, adding that whoever assumes the position will be called upon to bear “a heavy duty, a difficult effort and great responsibility.”
A decisive role in developments is also played by the new charter of the Church of Cyprus, which changes the process for electing metropolitans. Under the new provisions, the authority for the election now lies exclusively with the Holy Synod, effectively shifting the weight of decisions to the balance that will be formed within the synodal body.
It is recalled that the Metropolitan throne of Paphos has remained vacant since 22 May 2025, when the Holy Synod decided to depose the then Metropolitan Tychikos, while since then Georgios has been serving as caretaker.
Today’s session of the Holy Synod is considered particularly important, as it is expected to determine the next steps for filling one of the most significant ecclesiastical thrones in Cyprus, with attention now focusing on the decisions to be taken and the balances that will emerge within the synodal body.
