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“The people of Pafos, if they look for a father, they will see where they have to move”

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«Οι Ανθρωποι τ ;ης Πàφου, αν αναζητorσουν πατeρα, &theta

The reasons why he decided to be one of the contenders for the Metropolitan Throne of the Paphos district were developed to the REPORTER by the Bishop of Karpasia, Christophoros, who emphasized that the only thing he has to promise the people of Paphos is that he knows their needs Metropolis and as one of the closest collaborators of the blessed Archbishop Chrysostomos II, he gained the experience to minister.

The Bishop of Karpasia, in a comprehensive interview with REPORTERhe referred to his priorities, in the event of his election, which is to get to know the people of Paphos, the priests, the commissioners and the lords, as he expects a cordial cooperation between them, to take the Diocese of Paphos one step forward.

At the same time, he expresses his readiness to assume the position of Metropolitan, as for fifteen years he was one of the closest collaborators of the blessed Archbishop and has all the resources to deal with administrative and spiritual issues. In fact, the Bishop of Karpasia declares that he is also a close associate of the current Archbishop, with whom he has known since he was Bishop of Arsinois, before he became Metropolitan of Paphos.

The Bishop of Karpasia also gave his own answer to what is heard, that the Paphites want a Paphite Metropolitan, stressing that “the people of Paphos should want a father and the Bishop should be a father. If they look for a father, they will see where they need to go. The Bishop is not a local matter, it is a purely ecclesiastical matter and he must be an embrace, to receive the world”.  

«Οι Ανθρωποι τη ς Πàφου, αν αναζητorσουν πατeρα, θα δουν που πρΕπει να κινηθούν»

-You are one of the contenders for the Metropolitan Throne of Paphos. How did you decide that?

I don't think I'm claiming anything. An initiative group from Paphos would like to claim, in a way, to serve the Diocese of Paphos, for which I worked for 20 years, because I belonged to this Diocese, I was in the Monastery of Panagia Trooditissa, I worked in the camps, in priestly conferences, I was on the throne committee under Chrysostom II. I know and experienced Paphos both spiritually and administratively. I have a direct relationship. So people, those who believe that I could serve and help the Diocese, suggested me. I said that if this is the will of God on the one hand and the desire of the world on the other, I cannot deny it. In this sense I place myself in the ministry of the church. I don't like the verb claim, it's not something that belongs to me and goes to the best. I have two promises to the people of Paphos. I know the Diocese and the needs and pastoral problems, because I lived it. Also, working for fifteen years in the Archdiocese, next to the blessed Archbishop, I gained experience in both spiritual and administrative matters and I also have a good disposition to serve and work for the people of Paphos. I promise nothing, except two things. I will not just be a Despot, but I will be a father with my heart open to them and the second that I will cooperate with them, in all areas, spiritual, social, problems, everything that concerns the people of Pafos. I'm not going to impose a program, I'm going to make myself available as a shepherd, as a father, so that together we can work together for the work that needs to be done and take the Diocese of Paphos as far forward as possible. I do not have the strength alone to achieve this, but we can, through the disposition, fatherhood and experience, together do this work which is called ecclesiastical, charitable, social in this region.

-Were you one of the closest collaborators of the blessed Archbishop, Chrysostom II, but also of the current Archbishop, George?

With Saint Archbishop George and the former Metropolitan of Paphos, we have known each other since he was Bishop of Arsinois and we worked together, we participated in the preparatory meetings that prepared the Synod that took place in Crete and we had developed a close, spiritual relationship. But, mostly I was the close collaborator of the blessed Archbishop Chrysostomos II, who entrusted me with all the spiritual, administrative, financial work of the Archdiocese, especially in the last year when he could not cope with his obligations due to his illness. This enabled me to acquire the experience and the disposition, if God and the Church call me to minister, to go not to sit on the throne, but to work. To work with the priests, the ecclesiastical commissioners, the rulers and above all the people. This I can promise, that will be my effort. I have nothing else to promise.

«Οι Ανθρωποι τη ς Πàφου, αν αναζητorσουν πατeρα, θα δουν που πρΕπει να κινηθούν»

-So, in the event of your election, you will continue the work of Archbishop Georgios and the blessed Archbishop Chrysostomos II?

I will continue the work of the Church and Church means people. Both of them, I have the feeling that they worked for the people. We cannot be the same, everyone has their own personality, their own character, their own way of working. Someone will go a little this way, another will go a little differently, but the goal is that what we do is for the church and the church is the people.

-What will be your priorities, if are you elected as Metropolitan?

In fact, the priority is to get to know the priests, the ecclesiastical commissioners, the people, the rulers, to connect with them, to open their hearts, to feel them as theirs, as familiar. It is as if you have a field and without knowing the potential of the field, you go and cultivate it ignoring the potential, the needs, the priorities, etc. The priority is to get to know the people of Paphos, at all levels and for them to get to know me, to feel familiar with me, because they will be my partners. What we will do, together with the people of Paphos, is for them. So I have to get to know them first, to see what their needs and priorities are and together we will work on this. If the people do not know me and I do not know them, will I come to impose on them what I have in my head? If he doesn't like it? We will come into conflict.

-How do you comment on what is heard that the Paphites want a Paphite for their Metropolitan?

The people of Paphos should want a father and the Bishop should be a father. If they look for a father, they will see where they need to go. The Bishop is not a local matter, it is a purely ecclesiastical matter and he must be an embrace, to receive the world. They have to look at this and see if it can live with the world, be given to the world. We say projects and we mean building, fixing, etc. The biggest building is for people's hearts to have rest, peace, joy and hope and this is also what is requested through the infrastructure. Infrastructures for care, support, etc. must be created, we must open up to young people, but also give ourselves to young people. Let the young people feel that the Bishop inspires them, so that they can reconcile a little with God and themselves. I'm not saying this to vote for me. I say this, lest they wish to seek local desires. I think it's more important that they look for a father. If they find it at a localized level, blessed.

«Οι Αν θρωποι της Πàφου, αν αναζητorσου&nu ; πατΕρα, θα δουν που πρΕπει να κιν ηθοyν»

  • Countdown for the Metropolitan elections in Paphos-How will the election take place
  • Over 120 polling centers are set up for the Metropolitan in Paphos

Source: www.reporter.com.cy

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