A leading Orthodox church figure from Cyprus, Bishop Chrysanthos of Limassol, has resigned after reports in the international media about investigations by police in several countries of fraud schemes involving millions of dollars.
Allegations about the bishop, who is also a member of the outgoing central committee of the World Council of Churches, have caused upheaval in the church for several months.According to international press reports, the Church of Cyprus synod announced on 24 November that it had accepted Bishop Chrysanthos' resignation, submitted the day before, and had suspended him from taking part "in every holy duty" for two years.
But Bishop Chrysanthos denies all allegations against him, and insisted this week that he was stepping down for the good of the church.