Cyprus Bishop Quizzed on Gay Charges
Nov. 16 -- Cyprus’ Orthodox clergy is in turmoil as one popular bishop faces defrocking for homosexual activities, while another, accused of defrauding a British businessman, is being hunted by the police.
Bishop Athanassios of Limassol went on trial Wednesday before the hierarchy of the conservative Greek Orthodox church on charges of “looking at men,” church sources said.
The session, known as the Major Holy Synod, is only thesecond to have taken place in the 2,000-year history of theChurch of Cyprus, which traces its lineage back to founderBarnabas, one of Christ’s first companions.
The last Holy Synod was in 1974, again in Cyprus, when some bishops resisted the authority of Archbishop Makarios, another Cypriot legendary figure whose statues dot the Mediterranean island.
Athanassios stands accused by rival clergy of having had gay sex with fellow monks and others when he was a novice at the Greek Mount Athos monastery stronghold, from which all women are banned. If found guilty he could be defrocked.
Publicly, the church has studiously avoided specifying thecharges against Athanassios and merely refer to it as “the known issue.”
A relatively young bishop who has a large andenthusiastic following particularly among young people, Athanassios denies claims he had homosexual relationships.
Popular Priest
The soft-spoken former monk is widely seen as a favorite tobecome the next Archbishop when the incumbent dies.
One of his detractors is a former monk-turned-hairdresserwho said he was seduced by the Bishop when they were both at Mount Athos, an all-male monastic commune in Greece.
Athanassios fled to Greece when homosexuality charges were first leveled at him, only returning after Cyprus scrapped laws making gay sex a criminal offense. On his return home, he was mobbed by his supporters, mainly from the countryside, where he enjoys immense popularity.
Outsiders say the feud runs to the heart of a simmeringdivision in the church between the purist form of OrthodoxyAthanassios is deemed to represent, and the worldly bishops of Cyprus who are equally at home running businesses as giving spiritual guidance.
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