MVP

Tag: local authorities

  • Tychikos — Medical Examinations Conclude for Deposed Bishop Tychikos

    Tychikos — Medical Examinations Conclude for Deposed Bishop Tychikos

    Medical examinations of deposed Paphos bishop Tychikos have been completed, following his hospitalisation last week during his journey back to Cyprus from Istanbul. Tychikos had travelled to Istanbul to appeal against his dismissal at the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

    The priest accompanying Tychikos, known as Father Evangelos, reported to the Cyprus News Agency that doctors at the Onassis hospital in Athens recommended that he avoid mental stress. He noted that Tychikos’ health has improved and that he will consult with heart surgeons for further evaluation.

    According to Father Evangelos, if there are no serious health concerns, Tychikos plans to return to Cyprus. Prior to his hospitalisation, it was reported that he was experiencing health issues while travelling from Istanbul to Athens, prompting his admission to the hospital for a series of tests.

    Members of the Cyprus Holy Synod expressed concern about Tychikos’ condition, with assurances that they could contact his doctors for updates. However, Archdiocese of Cyprus press spokesman Christos Efstathiou indicated that the Holy Synod and Archbishop Georgios were not informed of Tychikos’ hospitalisation in a timely manner, and had they been, they would have contributed to his recovery.

    Tychikos’ visit to Istanbul was to contest the Holy Synod’s decision to relieve him of his duties, which was ratified by a vote of ten to six on May 22. This decision followed charges against him for breaches of church protocol, including displaying an uncanonised saint’s icon. His lawyer, Evangelia Poulla, condemned the decision as “unacceptable to say the least” and described it as “inconceivable,” noting that such an unjust ruling was unprecedented.

    On the other hand, Efstathiou remarked that the unanimous decision from the Ecumenical Patriarchate sent a clear message. Although Tychikos retains his title as a bishop of the Church of Cyprus, he has been stripped of his administrative responsibilities. Church secretary Georgios Christodoulou clarified that Tychikos remains a member of the Holy Synod.

    The tensions between Tychikos and the archbishop have been well-documented, particularly regarding Tychikos’ refusal to allow the relic of Apostle Paul’s skull to be brought from the Vatican City, based on his beliefs about Pope Francis. In the aftermath of Tychikos’ dismissal, Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos publicly shared grievances about the bishop’s conduct, describing it as “trying and unbecoming” for the municipality over the years. He recounted how Tychikos had taken the municipality to court without prior notice and had obstructed communications by locking offices and ignoring calls, attributing the behaviour to a “spiritual retreat.”

  • Strong Winds Cause Two Fishing Boats to Sink at Pomos Harbour

    Strong Winds Cause Two Fishing Boats to Sink at Pomos Harbour

    pomos harbour — Two fishing boats have sunk at Pomos harbour due to strong winds, highlighting ongoing concerns about the shelter’s inadequate protection for vessels. The incident occurred on two separate occasions last week, causing significant distress among boat owners and local authorities.

    Andreas Dionysiou, the Deputy Mayor of Polis Chrysochous, expressed his concerns to Phileleftheros, stating that this situation is not new. Boat owners have been raising alarms about structural problems at the fishing shelter for years, yet little has been done to address them. “Our years-long representations brought no results, with the Fisheries Department insisting that everything is properly constructed,” he remarked.

    Last week, severe winds impacted the area on Tuesday and Friday evenings, which Dionysiou described as unusual for this time of year. He noted that the lack of protection for the fishing shelter during strong northerly or north-easterly winds had devastating effects, resulting in the sinking of boats and serious damage to others. “Unfortunately, the phenomenon appeared during this period, which is unusual, so they did not have time to protect their boats,” he explained.

    The Pomos fishing shelter, constructed in 1983, has faced criticism for its design flaws that fail to provide adequate safety for moored vessels. Dionysiou highlighted that it can only accommodate three or four large fishing boats at a time, further complicating the situation for local fishermen who rely on the harbour.

    While the current Agriculture Minister has visited Pomos and shown willingness to pursue solutions, the issue remains pressing. Dionysiou hopes for improvements that will prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of those who depend on the harbour for their livelihood.

  • Oil spill — Larnaca Port Oil Spill Cleaned Up, Assures Fisheries Department

    Oil spill — Larnaca Port Oil Spill Cleaned Up, Assures Fisheries Department

    An engine oil spill at Larnaca port on Thursday night prompted a swift response from the fisheries department, who reported the clean-up was completed by Friday morning.

    • An engine oil spill at Larnaca port on Thursday night prompted a swift response from the fisheries department, who reported the clean-up was completed by Friday morning.

    Marina Argyrou, the director of the fisheries department, explained that officers employed floating barriers and absorbent materials to effectively contain and eliminate the spill. “The pollution came from a mixture of engine oil and diesel, most of which evaporated, though some residue washed up on a nearby beach in Oroklini,” she stated.

    Local authorities were alerted to the situation, with the Oroklini municipality assigned to conduct further cleaning efforts along the shoreline. Argyrou noted that because the incident took place within the port, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Cyprus Ports Authority, which will conduct the necessary investigation.

    Neophytos Phakondis, the deputy mayor of Oroklini, confirmed that small amounts of oil had reached the beach but described the situation as manageable. “Some visitors continued swimming, while others waited for the oil to be cleaned up,” he said. Phakondis reassured the public, stating that most of the oil had evaporated, and the minor remnants on the beach were expected to dissipate by Saturday.