Met. Isaiah believes that narrative on the ROC influencing the Church of Cyprus is intended to shape the opinion of Cypriot bishops on the issue of recognizing the OCU.
On February 21, 2021, Metropolitan of Isaiah of Tamassos of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus stated that the Russian Orthodox Church had never interfered in the affairs of the Church of Cyprus, according to Romfea website.
Answering a journalist’s question whether the ROC is trying to interfere in the affairs of the Church of Cyprus, Metropolitan Isaiah noted that such narrative is “deliberately implanted” and “persistently cultivated by various bodies.”
“Unfortunately, all modern means of propaganda and discrediting opponents come into use, such as, for example, ‘investigations’, published on various pseudo-sites, ‘revealing conspiracies’, etc.,” and “Orthodox dogmata are subject to the increased harassment,” the bishop said.
At the same time, he noted that “while everyone used to welcome Russians in Cyprus, now, due to geopolitical and geostrategic interests, everything Russian is demonized, and this fact directly affects those who have church relations with them.”
“In fact, the Russian Church has never tried to interfere in our affairs,” emphasized Metropolitan Isaiah.
“What became obvious after the political intervention in the Ukrainian issue is that politics caters for interests, rather than friendship and religion. However, when it comes to the Church, truth and law should always work here regardless of interests,” Vladyka reminded.
He also noted that rumors about the “5th Column” and the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, which are actively ventilated in Cyprus, are intended to “change our opinion about neutrality” on the “Ukrainian issue”.
At the same time, “the position of neutrality in the Ukrainian issue, which was initially unanimously adopted and adhered to by the Holy Synod of the Cypriot Church, among other things, defends the autocephaly of our ancient Church from both sides, so we reacted (to Dumenko’s recognition by Archbishop Chrysostomos – Ed.) resolutely and publicly.”
“The geopolitical confrontation between East and West is stepping up. In Cyprus, this phenomenon is obvious, as it is intensely manifested in all sectors of the economy, journalism, political life, etc. Our desire is to deal with everyone in the framework of mutual respect,” concluded Metropolitan Isaiah.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that, according to Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamassos, telling the truth about Phanar’s actions in Ukraine is not a move against Phanar, but evidence of love for it.
