Source: CBS News [NICOSIA, CYPRUS] The head of Cyprus’ influential Orthodox church, Archbishop Chrysostomos II, says he will put the church’s assets at the country’s disposal to help pull it out of a financial crisis, after lawmakers rejected a plan to seize up to 10 percent of people’s bank deposits to secure an international bailout. Speaking after meeting President Nicos Anastasiades Wednesday, Chrysostomos said the church was willing to mortgage its assets to invest in government bonds. The church has considerable wealth, including property, stakes in a bank and a brewery. Tuesday’s rejection of the deposit tax has left the…
Browsing: Archbishop Chrysostomos II
Source: Taiwan News The leader of Cyprus’ Orthodox Christian church and Israel’s chief rabbi have signed a joint declaration aimed at forging closer bonds between the two countries’ citizens. Archbishop Chrysostomos II and Rabbi Yonah Metzger signed the declaration in the Cypriot capital Tuesday. Chrysostomos said the initiative is aimed at ending any “hostility or suspicion” that had “poisoned” Cypriot-Israeli relations in the past. Metzger said Cyprus and Israel are partners and share a similar history. He says the declaration can help improve cooperation. The declaration comes amid blossoming ties between the east Mediterranean neighbors. The two countries are in…