The process to fill the vacant Metropolis of Paphos has reached a critical juncture, with the nomination period for candidates to the Metropolitan throne now formally open. Interested clergy may submit their candidacy in person at the Archbishopric on Thursday 21 May, Friday 22 May and Monday 25 May, with written applications required to be submitted on the spot.
All eyes are now on Tuesday 26 May, when the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus will convene to approve the final list of candidates. Should no procedural issues arise, Archbishop Georgios has left open the possibility of proceeding to an immediate election of the new Metropolitan of Paphos on the same occasion.
The names in circulation
Among those being discussed at a local level is Archimandrite Ioannis, Abbot of the Holy Stavropegic Monastery of Apostle Barnabas. Despite previous indications that he did not wish to contest the throne under the new election framework, information continues to suggest his participation remains a possibility. Church and local circles in Paphos consider a potential candidacy on his part to be particularly significant, given his pastoral and administrative experience.
Considerable attention is also being paid to the Chorepiscopos of Arsinoe Pagkratios, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Chrysorrogiatissa, who maintains strong ties to the Paphos district and is regarded as a figure with a pronounced local presence. Also remaining in the equation is the Bishop of Karpasia Christoforos, whose name was raised as a potential contender early in the process, as is the Bishop of Mesaoria Grigorios.
Church sources do not rule out further candidacies emerging before the process concludes, as activity around the Metropolitan throne has been intense for months. Some names, however, appear to be definitively out of the running. The Secretary of the Holy Synod cannot stand as a candidate, as Archbishop Georgios has clarified he does not meet the requirement of ten years of meritorious service. The Chorepiscopos of Amathous Nikolaos has also removed himself from consideration, stating he has no intention of seeking election.
A new framework, a synodal decision
A defining factor in the entire process is the Church of Cyprus's new Charter, under which the election of metropolitans now falls within the exclusive competence of the Holy Synod rather than involving lay participation. The succession in Paphos will therefore depend not only on the standing of candidates locally but on the balance of forces within the synodal body itself.
The Metropolitan throne of Paphos has been vacant since 22 May 2025, exactly one year ago, when the Holy Synod voted to depose the then-Metropolitan Tychikos. Archbishop Georgios has been serving as Locum Tenens of the See since that date.
Source: CNA
