MECC Mourns Passing of Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II
It is with great sadness that the Middle East Council of Churches received the news of the death of His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus, at the age of 81, on Monday 7 November 2022. His Beatitude passed away after his struggle with illness which he faced with a Christian courage and faith, witnessing to the depth of God’ love, our Lord Jesus Christ.
With the absence of His Beatitude, the Middle East Council of Churches will miss a Church leader with whom MECC had many Ecumenical occasions and achievements recorded in the history of the Ecumenical movement in the Middle East. His Beatitude has generously hosted the MECC 10th General assembly held between 29 and 30 November 2011 in Paphos, and many MECC Executive Committee meetings, such as the latest one convened with him between 21 and 22 January 2020 in Larnaca.
The MECC General Secretariat’s family and its Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs extend their sincere condolences to the Church of Cyprus, its Bishops heads of Priests, and all the Churches of the Middle East, for the loss of a prominent leading figure in the Church of Christ.
As His Beatitude passed away to the bosom of the Father, he leaves a legacy of Holiness. He has always strived to preserve the historical tradition of the Church and the Christian mission which clings to hope, peace and reconciliation despite all changes and challenges. He also sought for the unity and prosperity of the Church.
May his soul rest in eternal and blissful peace with the Lord Jesus Christ
Christ Is Risen,
He Is Risen Indeed
Biography of His Beatitude Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II
His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus was born on 10 April 1941 in Talan, Paphos. After primary school, he was accepted as a novice at the Holy Monastery of St. Neophytos. Then he moved to Paphos High School, where he graduated in 1963. On November 3 of the same year, he was ordained to the diaconate by the Bishop of Trimithounda, Georgios and served as trustee of the monastery for 5 years.
His Beatitude studied at the Theological School of the University of Athens in 1968 from which graduated in 1972. On 19 October of the same year, he was elected Abbot of St. Neophytos Monastery. Archbishop Makarios III ordained him a priest, elevated to the rank of Archimandrite. On 25 February 1978, he was elected by acclamation as Metropolitan of Paphos, and was consecrated and ordained the following day. His Beatitude dedicated himself to the formation and improvement of the conditions for the clergy, and to the spiritual cultivation of his flock. He re-established the Archdiocese of Arsinoe, and presented to the Holy Synod the election of Archimandrite Mr. Georgios Papachrysostomos, and also elected him as the first Bishop of the re-established Archdiocese of Arsinoe. He also sought to create new dioceses and expand the Cypriot Church to restore the its full autocephaly.
He presided the Holy Synod after the accident which the late Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos I faced. He also worked to help the Church reject the Annan Plan. As well as, he represented the Church of Cyprus many times in Orthodox and Christian dialogues, Ecclesiastical conferences, and the consecration of the Heads of other Churches... On 5 November 2006, he was elected as Archbishop of Cyprus and assumed this position on Sunday 12 November 2006.