Cyprus Problem: Hymns to be Sung on Good Friday

The Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus has approved the addition of supplicatory hymns about the Cyprus problem to the three stanzas of the Lamentations of Good Friday. According to Archimandrite Georgios Christodoulou, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod, the decision was made following a proposal by the Archbishop.

Christakis Efstathiou, Press Representative of the Archbishopric, stated that 2-3 pieces will be added to all the stanzas of the Lamentations, with content supplicating God for the liberation of the place from occupation. The choice of Good Friday was made due to the increased attendance of believers in churches.

However, theologian Theodoros Kyriakou expressed his opposition, calling the decision "sacrilege." He argued that the meaning of the Lamentations is resurrectional and the addition of other hymns is unacceptable, as it exploits the presence of the people. He also predicted reactions from the public.

According to the decision of the Holy Synod, the supplicatory hymns will be composed by the Archbishop himself.