An electoral struggle is underway among clerics, as the Archbishop’s health is deteriorating, Phileleftheros reported on Tuesday.
Phileleftheros sources speculate that Athanassios, Bishop of Limassol and Isaias, Bishop of Tamasos will finish in the first two places in the election, with the Bishops of Paphos and of Kostantia and Famagusta fighting for the third place.
The frontrunners:
The Bishop of Paphos, Georgios has the support of Archbishop Chrysostomos and maintains good relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. Even though he is rumoured not to be adept at public relations, it is believed that he will get votes from DIKO, EDEK, and other groups who are considered to be hard-liners on the Cyprus problem. Georgios is considered to be tough on moral issues. He studied Chemistry and Theology.
The Bishop of Constantia and Famagusta, Vassilios is considered to be a progressive candidate. He also has good relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He studied Theology in Switzerland and has good relations with DISY.
The Bishop of Tamasos, Isaias is the most progressive of the lot. He maintains good relations with DISY, as well as with the left due to his views. He is also supported by the Bishop of Kykkos, Nikiforos. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he tried to maintain a distance from the Church of Russia and Patriarch Kirill.
The Bishop of Limassol, Athanasios seems to have the most supporters. He has been strongly criticised for trying to convert young people into becoming priests, even though he won two such cases in Court. He has supporters in all political parties.
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