The Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus made important decisions today. They met on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, led by Archbishop George of Cyprus, to talk about the Church’s structure and operations.
The Synod announced that they will restructure or rewrite the Statutory Charter with a special Drafting Committee. The guardianship of the Holy Metropolis of Paphos is extended to finish this process. Also, the Church congregation was told that ceremonies at the Hermitage of St. Abbacum Monastery, done by defrocked clergy, are not valid.
Starting next year, weddings will be allowed during the Christmas Fast until December 12. Lastly, they approved adding supplicatory hymns to three stanzas of the Lamentations on Good Friday, related to the ongoing Cyprus issue.
The full announcement
The Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus met today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in a special session under Archbishop George of Cyprus and discussed the following:
1) They found some unclear parts and difficulties in applying the Statutory Charter of the Church of Cyprus. So, they decided to restructure or rewrite it with a Drafting Committee made up of Holy Synod members and legal experts. They also extended the guardianship of the Holy Metropolis of Paphos under Archbishop of Cyprus to give enough time for drafting and approving the new Statutory Charter.
2) They informed the Christian congregation that ceremonies done by defrocked clergy at St. Abbacum Monastery’s Hermitage are not valid. This means no sanctifying grace is given to those who participate.
3) They decided that from next year onwards, marriages can be celebrated during the Christmas Fast until December 12.
4) They approved Archbishop’s proposal to add supplicatory hymns related to the long-standing Cyprus issue to three stanzas of Good Friday’s Lamentations.
