Ousting the Cypriot Ethnarch: President Makarios’ Struggle against the Greek Junta, Cypriot Bishops, and Terrorism

Şevki Kıralp,Ahmet Güneyli

doi:10.3390/rel12110944

Abstract

This study examined the politics and political involvements of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus in the early postcolonial era, with a special focus on the ecclesiastical coup that aimed for the ouster of Archbishop Makarios III, who was also the President of the Republic of Cyprus from 1960 to 1977. The findings indicate that the Greek junta, Greek Cypriot terrorists, and the three bishops of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus joined forces to oust Makarios by forcing him to resign his presidency. These actors were displeased with Makarios because he tolerated Cypriot communism, refused to follow Athens’ manipulations in Cypriot politics, and promoted Cyprus’ independence by abandoning the pro-Enosis (unification of Cyprus with Greece) political line. The Greek junta tried to dictate policies to Makarios and asked him to resign as he refused to obey. Greek Cypriot terrorists engaged in violence to destabilize the island and oust Makarios. The three bishops summoned the Holy Synod and defrocked the Archbishop as he refused to resign his presidency. Importantly, this research came across with strong indicators that the Greek junta tried to utilize religion in trying to oust the Cypriot ethnarch as the three bishops, immediately after the junta’s failure to oust Makarios in 1972, asked him to resign his presidency. While his rivals failed to oust Makarios, at least until 1974, he called for an international synod and defrocked the three bishops. He managed to retain both posts until the end of his life.

Highlights

The understanding of nationalism and identity in Cypriot communities, the international and domestic aspects of the Cyprus conflict, and the modern and early–modern history of the island have attracted a significant amount of scholarly attention
The findings indicate that Makarios was challenged by a league composed of the Greek junta, Greek Cypriot terrorists, and three bishops of the Orthodox
The Bishops’ Attempt to Oust Makarios In July 1971, Papadopoulos expressed to Makarios that Athens would seek for a peaceful solution to the Cyprus issue by trying to settle with Turkey based on a formula that would not exclude “double-Enosis”

Summary

Introduction

The understanding of nationalism and identity in Cypriot communities, the international and domestic aspects of the Cyprus conflict, and the modern and early–modern history of the island have attracted a significant amount of scholarly attention. The three Cypriot bishops’ attempts to oust Makarios, namely, the ecclesiastical coup that commenced in February 1972 and ceased when the international Supreme Synod that defrocked these bishops in July 1973, have, to some extent, remained under-studied. It is well-known in the literature that Makarios’ political power was mostly sourced from the traditional authorities granted to Cypriot ethnarchs. This study intended to contribute to the literature on this very point As this specific State–Church conflict was, at the same time, an intra-church conflict, as Makarios was the Head of the State, this research will likely be useful in making wider sense of State–religion relations in Cyprus. Decision by calling for an international synod and managed to remain in both offices until the end of his life (3 August 1977)

The Orthodox Church of Cyprus in the Island’s Political History

A Communist-Friendly Modern Ethnarch

The Bishops’ Attempt to Oust Makarios

Findings

Conclusions