Cypriot hierarch: Today the truth in Ukraine is represented by Met Onuphry

Metropolitan Neophytos. Photo: UOJ

Metropolitan Neophytos of the Cypriot Orthodox Church believes that the true expression of truth in Ukraine today is embodied by the Primate of the UOC, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.

In an interview published on the UOJ YouTube channel, Metropolitan Neophytos explained why he did not attend the enthronement of Archbishop Georgios, the Primate of the Church of Cyprus.

The bishop noted that on the day of the enthronement, he stayed in his diocese because he believes in the power of prayer, and Archbishop Georgios especially needs prayer, "because he became the Primate in times of great problems for Orthodox unity, in an era when the new world order no longer hides its goal to fight against Christianity".

According to Metropolitan Neophytos, the new world order "seeks to stone those who represent the true voice of Orthodoxy, the Orthodox testimony."

"This voice is represented by Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv, supported by the bishops of Ukraine, monasteries, and the faithful people. And this did not happen yesterday or the day before," emphasized the hierarch.

He also believes that "Metropolitan Onuphry and his Church are in great need of prayer because they are going through tremendous trials".

The bishop said that he is a refugee metropolitan because half of his diocese is under Turkish occupation, and he often has to serve in churches there where there are no icons, doors, or windows.

"Why am I saying this? Because I am a bishop with great pain inside. I know what injustice means: both political and ecclesiastical. They go hand in hand... And it would be unfair if a bishop-refugee like me could not understand your pain, the injustice that is happening to you," said Metropolitan Neophytos.

Thus, according to the bishop, on the day of the enthronement, he wanted “to commit himself to prayer and also express his protest against the injustice suffered by Metropolitan Onuphry and the bishops, clergy, monks, and people under his guidance.

"I want it to be understood that we do not remain indifferent to what is happening in one part of the Body of Christ. All Orthodox Christians, wherever we are, are cells of the same Body of Christ. 'If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it,' as the Apostle Paul said," noted the hierarch of the Church of Cyprus.

He stressed that "it is important for this to be not a one-time event but a continuous co-suffering, co-sympathy. And this position of mine is a continuation of my previous statements".

"Before this, I told Archbishop Chrysostomos that I disagreed with the solution to the 'Ukrainian problem' that he proposed. I love and respect the Ecumenical Patriarch very much, acknowledging his contribution to the cause of Orthodoxy, but 'Plato is my friend, but Truth is a better friend'," said Metropolitan Neophytos.

The hierarch is convinced that "at this historical moment, Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv represents the truth. Therefore, the Metropolitan of Morphou must be on the side of truth because the truth is Christ," concluded the bishop.

As reported, Metropolitan Neophytos said the war in Ukraine is part of World War III.

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