With the enthronement of the new Metropolitan of Paphos Gregory, the Church of Cyprus and the Metropolis itself, in which introversion has been observed in recent months, are turning the page and opening up to society. In fact, Archbishop George, during the ordination ceremony of Gregory yesterday morning at the Cathedral of the Apostle Barnabas in Nicosia, made sure to send messages in all directions.
His Beatitude called on the new Metropolitan not to get drunk with the power of the throne and the apparent glory, not to cut himself off from the world and his time and not to follow in the footsteps of Tychikos.
With what His Beatitude said, it is estimated that he was sending a message to all the Synod members and the clergy, setting, in a way, his red lines in the way of action and behaviour of those who belong to the Church of Cyprus.
The "warning shots" were fired with paternal love towards the new Metropolitan and it was obvious that he has no indications of derailment from what he believes should characterize a Bishop of the Church of Cyprus.
Among other things, His Beatitude, addressing the Metropolitan-elect, indicated that "it is not right for the Bishop to be cut off from his time and to present himself as theologically primitive", referring directly to the stance taken by the suspended Metropolitan Tychikos.
To Tychikos himself, as well as to others with a similar mentality, he also stressed the following: "Talk about clean and unclean, demonic foods and drinks and the like, can only provoke laughter and ironic comments, a phenomenon we have seen lately. Turn a deaf ear to those who have made empty Orthodoxy a slogan to cover up an unbridled Luciferian selfishness."
His Beatitude the Primate of the Church of Cyprus also stated the following addressing Mr. Gregory:
"We praise God who in his person restores normality in the Holy Metropolis of Paphos that had been disturbed by misguided actions of people foreign to the province and who had managed to involve the former Metropolitan in them.
It is said that it is difficult to have acrobatics without vertigo and without victims. Take care that your spirit is not shaken by the vertigo of height, the splendour and the apparent glory of the episcopal throne as was the case with your predecessor."
The ordination took place yesterday morning on the feast of the Apostle Barnabas, founder and patron saint of the Church of Cyprus, in the context of an Archieratical Concelebration presided over by the Archbishop himself.
Referring to his new duties, the new Metropolitan Gregory said that "the people of Paphos deserve only the best and the best" and added that he will continue to officiate, preach, teach, listen, advise, organize and create.
A small group of supporters of the departed Metropolitan of Tychikos, when the cry "worthy" (for Gregory) was heard, shouted "unworthy". The same scene took place in the afternoon during the enthronement of the Metropolitan. Strong police forces went to the church.
