Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-09-24

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS - ARCHBISHOPRIC ELECTIONS

[02] PAPADOPOULOS - EU - TURKEY

[03] CYPRUS RALLY - FINAL LEG

[01] CYPRUS - ARCHBISHOPRIC ELECTIONS

The procedure will culminate in early November with the announcement of the new Archbishop.

The contenders of the top post in the church hierarchy are the Bishop of Pafos Chrysostomos, the Bishop of Kition Chrysostomos, the Bishop of Limassol Athanasios and Kykkos Monastery Bishop Nikiforos.

The elections are organized, monitored and carried through by church officials.

Polling stations will operate in churches, schools and church halls from 1000 local time (0700 GMT) until 1800 with an hour break at 1300.

Voting is not obligatory, but Acting Primate of the Church of Cyprus, Pafos Bishop Chrysostomos, has urged citizens to vote.

``As the representative of the Church of Cyprus I would like to appeal to the people of Cyprus to go to the polling stations and cast their vote in a democratic climate``, he said.

Persons who are over 18 and are Orthodox Christians, either Greek or other (provided they have been residing on the island for over a year) are eligible voters for this electoral process to elect the special representatives.

Greek Cypriot refugees will vote at the place of their current residence to elect special representatives for the church district they come from.

Out of the 1,400 special representatives, 400 should be elected from the Archbishopric district that includes Famagusta district as well, and 200 from each of the metropolitan districts of Pafos, Larnaca, Kyrenia, Limassol and Morphou.

The 1,400 special representatives will subsequently elect 100 general representatives.

An Assembly will then be formed comprising of ex officio members (such as bishops, deputy bishops, abbots and monks) and the 100 general representatives.

The new Archbishop must secure the majority of votes in both ballot boxes of the ex officio members and the general representatives.

This complex voting procedure allows for three separate voting processes to take place before the name of the new Archbishop is announced.

The new Archbishop will replace the ailing Archbishop Chrysostomos, who has been incapacitated for the past four years.

Chrysostomos succeeded the late Archbishop and first President of the Republic of Cyprus Makarios III, who died on August 3, 1977.

Since Chrysostomos illness, the Church has been run by the Acting Primate of the church, Pafos Bishop Chrysostomos, as stipulated in the church Charter.

The Church of Cyprus is autocephalous and its head enjoys exceptional privileges (signs in red ink, wears special empirical tunic at important church ceremonies and holds a scepter).

The Church was announced autocephalous in 478 AD when the remains of its founder, Saint Barnabas, were located on the island, in a tomb together with a copy of the gospel by Saint Mathew.

[02] PAPADOPOULOS - EU - TURKEY

In statements on his arrival from New York where he addressed the UN General Assembly, President Papadopoulos said that the Finnish EU Presidency has undertaken a fresh initiative regarding Turkey`s compliance with its EU obligations.

[03] CYPRUS RALLY - FINAL LEG

After the conclusion of yesterdays second leg with eight special stages, Frenchman Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena are in the lead with a Citroen Xsara, followed by Finish Marcus Gronholm and co-driver Timo Rautiainen driving a Ford Focus WRC06.

The Down Town Special Stage televised spectacular will start at 12.35 hrs local time (0935 GMT), but spectators are advised to be in place by no later than 11.30 hrs (0830 GMT).

The podium finish will take place from 16.40 hrs (13.40 GMT).

This morning there will be a further six special stages, five timed tests over gravel terrain.

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