Metropolitan Nikiforos of Kykkos reconciles with the Cypriot Church head
The hierarch of the Cypriot Church, who opposed the recognition of the OCU, visited Archbishop Chrysostomos with the aim of mutual forgiveness.
On October 18, 2022, Metropolitan Nikiforos of Kykkos of the Cypriot Orthodox Church visited the Primate of the Cypriot Church, Archbishop Chrysostomos, reports Orthodoxia News Agency.
The meeting, during which two more priests were present in addition to the above mentioned bishops, took place in the building of the Archdiocese of the Cypriot Church.
According to church sources cited by the publication, Metropolitan Nikiforos and Archbishop Chrysostomos "spoke in a brotherly manner, which created intense emotional atmosphere and surprised everyone present, sending a great message of humility and repentance to the entire Orthodox world."
According to media reports, the Metropolitan of Kykkos decided to visit the archbishop for mutual forgiveness. During the meeting, addressing the Primate of the Cypriot Church, Metropolitan Nikiforos said that he "came to seek mutual forgiveness, so that Christ would find us both ready."
“Then he leaned over and kissed him. They both cried. ‘God will forgive you,’ said one, ‘God will forgive us,’ another added. Then they both cried in each other's arms," write the Greek media.
One of the representatives of the Cypriot Church confirmed the occurrence to journalists, adding that the reconciled bishops “lived a very difficult life in adverse conditions, struggled and managed to reach the top of the hierarchy.”
“This struggle, of course, hardened them, but at the end of their lives they had the strength to forgive each other. However, in reality, they never had any particular problems in their relationship with each other ... But in the course of their lives, human and various other facts came into play, which now is not relevant to discuss. The important thing is that they met, hugged and accepted each other, and I think that after this development of events, they both found peace of mind. This meeting is a great message for the Orthodox,” he concluded.
Metropolitan Nikiforos of Kykkos and Tillyria is one of the most respected hierarchs of the Cypriot Church, a scholar and theologian. In recognition of his ecclesiastical, social and cultural activities, the Athens City Hall presented him with the highest award – the Golden Key to the City. Vladyka is one of those who did not agree with the recognition of the OCU by the Church of Cyprus.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Archbishop Chrysostomos criticized the hierarchs who did not recognize the OCU, and accused them that they "did not forget" their defeat in the election of the primate of the Cypriot Church in 2006. In response to this statement, Metropolitan Nikiforos accused Archbishop Chrysostomos of lying.
