Almost half of Cyprus’ 16-member Holy Synod are set to contest the election now that Archbishop Chrysostomos II has passed away, Philenews reported on Thursday citing insiders.
Specifically, seven of the Synod’s members are flirting with the vacated throne and this seem to create a new state of play in the upcoming election.
The possible candidates are: Paphos Bishop Giorgios, Limassol Bishop Athanasios, Constantias-Famagusta Bishop Vasilios, Kyrenia Bishop Chrysostomos, Morphou Bishop Neophytos, Tamasou Bishop Isaias and Metropolitan of Karpasia Christoforos.
The interest of Kyrenia Bishop and Karpasia Metropolitan is believed to possibly influence the candidacies of Paphos and Constantia and Famagusta bishops.
But it is possible that both the Kyrenia Bishop and Karpasia Metropolitan could withdraw their interest with the prospect of a future promotion.
Analysts believe that if either the Paphos Bishop Giorgios or of Constantia and Famagusta Vasileios make it to the tripartite round, even a breath away from the two favourites – that is, the bishops of Limassol and Tamasou – then their chances to get the throne are high. But if anyone else becomes the third runner, then all is open.
The big question is what Morphou Bishop Neophytos will do since he has followed his own policy on many hot issues in recent years.
The Paphos Bishop who is the caretaker of the dominant Orthodox Greek Church of Cyprus will initiate procedures for elections leading to the nomination and enthronement of a new Prelate promptly after Archbishop Chrysostomos’ funeral on Saturday.
The entire process which is quite complicated is expected to take under two months.
