IN AN ominous indication of public opinion on the archbishopric election results, the Sunday enthronement ceremony was postponed for a week for fear of public unrest.
The mood outside the Archbishopric swung from angry outbursts to silent protest as it became apparent that through a last-minute deal with Bishop Nikiforos of Kykkos, it was Bishop Chrysostomos of Paphos – the candidate who had secured less than 10 per cent of the popular vote – who was to become the new Archbishop.
The bulk of those who came to the Archbishopric on Sunday were supporters of the Limassol Bishop, who draws the most devoted following among any of the candidates.
Emotions spilled over in several instances, the worst being when a group encircled a black Mercedes transporting the Morphou Bishop and began pounding upon the hood and roof, furious at what they saw as a clerical betrayal of the Limassol Bishop.
On emerging from his car, a shaken Morphou Bishop told reporters: “They may be faithful towards one person, but they are not faithful to the Church or to Christ.”
But for the crowd, it was the clerics and the electors who had been unfaithful. “Shame on you!” members of the crowd cried out at the churchmen, who were nervously shuffling away out the backdoor entrance. “You have put the Church up for sale!”
Relatives had to hold back one young man who was openly weeping, his fists clenched. “I will bury you alive!” he cried out at one of the clerics.
But most supporters were more subdued. One group stood huddled around a mobile, listening to the live speech of the new Archbishop, which was taking place just 30 metres away behind closed doors.
The group listened as Chrysostomos said he wanted to especially thank his two “brothers” – the Limassol Bishop and the Abbot of Kykkos, for giving him their votes.
“You Paphian crook!” one woman murmured. “What you deserve is a hearty slap in the face.”
Chrysostomos then said that his role was to serve the Church and the people, a statement that caused guffaws among the listeners.
“If you want to serve the people, then you should step down this moment since nobody wants you there,” one man said, gesturing at the mobile. “We’ve had enough corruption in the Church.”
Another Limassol supporter saw it differently. “I’m happy,’ he said. “It’s everyone else who lost. We won because we get to keep him.”
