Transfer of Apostle Paul's relic to Paphos to resume in October

The process to bring the relic of the Apostle Paul to Paphos, Cyprus, is scheduled to resume this October. This initiative, originally launched by the late Archbishop Chrysostomos II and supported by the current Archbishop Georgios, was previously halted due to opposition from the suspended Metropolitan Tychikos. Tychikos had refused to receive the relic, citing theological objections regarding the Pope, which caused a significant rift between him and Archbishop Georgios. Archbishop Georgios plans to travel to the Vatican, accompanied by the new Metropolitan of Paphos, Grigorios, to facilitate the transfer. Metropolitan Grigorios, who specialized in Eastern ecclesiastical sciences at the Pontificio Istituto Orientale in Rome, has succeeded the Archbishop in dialogues with other churches. Paphos was chosen as the destination because it is the site where the Apostle Paul first preached. Archbishop Georgios noted that this relic has never before left the Vatican. The effort aims to establish a symbolic return of the Apostle to the location of his initial mission.