The Abbot of the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi, the Elder Archimandrite Ephraim, this week weighed in on a simmering controversy regarding the Republic of Cyprus’ entry in the annual European song contest, following a call by the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus for the entry to be withdrawn by the state broadcaster.
Members of the Holy Synod said, in a statement, bemoaned that the song “essentially praises the fatalistic submission of humans to the d…’s authority” and urged the state broadcaster to replace it with one that “expresses our history, culture, traditions and our claims”.
In an article published on Monday, the Elder Ephraim asked “how could such a corrosion of Cypriots’ consciences have occurred, whereby from an island of saints and friend of Christ, it has become an island of corruption and a servant of the devil?
We dare to say, with certainty, that no! – this corruption cannot have taken place. Instead, sophomoric minds have simply encroached upon key positions… besmirching the image of the Cypriot people; insulting and disgracing what the latter deem holy and sacred.”
The entire article, in Greek, has been posted on the online platform Pemptousia.
