WHEN Archbishop Chrysostomos II announced that the hideously big statue of the late Archbishop Makarios would be removed from the courtyard of old Nicosia’s Archbishopric, we thought he had a more developed sense of aesthetics than his predecessor.
After all, he had justified his decision by saying that the statue was too big and out of proportion to its surroundings. He said another statue of Makarios would be commissioned to blend in harmoniously with the area. While many at the time believed the decision showed the new Archbishop did not subscribe to the ‘bigger is better’ aesthetic, subsequent decisions have proved them wrong.
Chrysostomos seems intent on building massive cathedrals wherever he can. He is currently trying to secure permission for a 23-metre high cathedral close to the Archbishopric that would be even more out of place than the Big Mak statue was. The Town Planning Department has also given permission for the construction of a big cathedral next to the historic Ayia Paraskevi church in the vicinity of the Central Bank. Meanwhile, the Paphos Bishopric is at odds with town’s municipal authorities over its plans to build at 20-metre high cathedral in the public gardens.
Why is Church leadership so keen on big cathedrals? Is this a new aesthetic or are practical considerations dictating its decisions? Admittedly, the population of Nicosia has grown significantly over the years and most churches of the capital are proving too small. Many are over-crowded during the Sunday service, with many of the faithful having to stand outside and listen to the liturgy through speakers.
In short, there is a need for new and bigger churches. Perhaps, the Archbishop has taken a hard-nosed business decision in opting for big cathedrals. The numerous small parish churches could eventually be closed, used only for special religious occasions, while the faithful could be packed into the big churches. Fewer priests would be needed and operating costs would be lowered as there would be fewer churches.
The Archbishop is perfectly within his rights to take such a decision and nobody can stop the construction of new churches, even though some people have voiced opposition to these plans. Pressure groups are currently trying to stop the construction of all three planned cathedrals.
It is questionable whether they would be successful in blocking the constructions as the Church also has rights. Instead, these groups as well as the municipal authorities should be focusing on the architectural aesthetics of the new cathedrals, insisting that these are in harmony with their surroundings. It is possible to have spacious churches that do not look like mock palaces.
