Bilateral Dialogues: Nicosia 2010
Benedict XVI – Chrysostomos II of Cyprus

Meeting with his beatitude Chrysostomos II Archbishop of Cyprus address of his holiness Benedict XVI

5 June 2010  

Your Beatitude,

Σε χαιρετώ με αδελφική αγάπη εν τω Αναστημένω Κυρίω.Σε ευχαριστώ για την θερμή σου υποδοχή. 

I recall with gratitude your visit to Rome three years ago, and I rejoice that today we meet again in your beloved homeland. Through you, I greet the Holy Synod, and all the priests, deacons, monks, nuns and lay faithful of the Church of Cyprus.

Before all else, I wish to express my gratitude for the hospitality which the Church of Cyprus so generously offered to theJoint International Commission for Theological Dialogue on the occasion of its meeting last year in Paphos. I am likewise grateful for the support that the Church of Cyprus, through the clarity and openness of her contributions, has always given to the work of the dialogue. May the Holy Spirit guide and confirm this great ecclesial undertaking, which aims at restoring full and visible communion between the Churches of East and West, a communion to be lived in fidelity to the Gospel and the apostolic tradition, esteem for the legitimate traditions of East and West, and openness to the diversity of gifts by which the Spirit builds up the Church in unity, holiness and peace.

This spirit of fraternity and communion also found expression in the generous contribution which Your Beatitude sent in the name of the Church of Cyprus for those suffering from last year’s earthquake in L’Aquila, near Rome, whose needs are close to my heart. In that same spirit, I now join you in praying that all the inhabitants of Cyprus, with God’s help, will find the wisdom and strength needed to work together for a just settlement of issues remaining to be resolved, to strive for peace and reconciliation, and to build for future generations a society distinguished by respect for the rights of all, including the inalienable rights to freedom of conscience and freedom of worship.

Cyprus is traditionally considered part of the Holy Land, and the situation of continuing conflict in the Middle East must be a source of concern to all Christ’s followers. No one can remain indifferent to the need to support in every waypossible the Christians of that troubled region, so that its ancient Churches can live in peace and flourish. The Christian communities of Cyprus can find a most fruitful area for ecumenical cooperation in praying and working together for peace, reconciliation and stability in the lands blessed by the earthly presence of the Prince of Peace.

With these sentiments, Your Beatitude, I thank you once more for your fraternal welcome, and I assure you of my prayers for you and for all the clergy and faithful of the Church of Cyprus.

Η χαρά και η ειρήνη του αναστημένου Χριστού ας είναι πάντοτε μαζί σου.

Address of Archbishop Chrysostomos II.

June 10, 2010

Your Holiness, Benedict, Pope of Old Rome,

It is with feelings of great respect and love that we welcome you and your honourable entourage to our Cathedra.

Our Church has a history of two millennia, beginning in 45 AD, when it was the first Church of Nations to be founded by the Apostles Barnabas and Paul.

In the 2,000 years of its history our Church has experienced periods of great spiritual fruitfulness and splendour and its spiritually enlightened Bishops participated in all the Ecumenical Councils, at which they often played a leading role.

In 431 AD the Third Ecumenical Council at Ephesus honoured the Church of Cyprus by declaring its Autocephaly underCanon 8. 

Byzantine Emperor Zeno then granted our Church imperial privileges and statutes.

These rights and privileges were later ratified by the Quinisext Ecumenical Council in 691 AD.

More recently, in response to the calls of the times, the Church of Cyprus underwent restructuring and reinstituted former Metropolitans and Bishops, in order to better fulfil its historical mission.

Your Holiness,

Despite the small numbers of its flock, the Church of Cyprus holds an eminent position in Orthodoxy and enjoys fraternal relations with all the Churches.

Indeed, as we enter the 21* century, which is the century of dialogue, approach and mutual understand-ing, we are determined to continue this course, in the belief that this is the will of the All-Merciful Lord.

Once again we express our joy and sense of honour at having you here among us today.

We wish you a pleasant stay in Cyprus and a safe return to your Cathedra.