1.
MV Patriarch of Antioch off plane & greeted by Makarios (2 shots)
0.13

2.
MV Makarios & Bishops across tarmac
0.16

3.
SV, GV Priests at St John's Church (2 shots)
0.22

4.
LV Armed guard on rooftop
0.26

5.
MV Makarios greets bishops (3 shots)
0.37

6.
SV, GV INT. Bishops & Makarios in church (2 shots)
0.50

7.
GV, SV Bishops in procession to Synod Hall (3 shots)
1.01

8.
GV, SV Patriarch of Alexandria seated at head of table (2 shots)
1.10

9.
MV Makarios & other bishops
1.17

10.
GV Bishops at table
1.20



Initials SGM/0333 SGM/0322



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Fifteen leaders of Orthodox Churches in the Middle East gathered at the Cyprus Bishopric in Nicosia ion Thursday (5 July) to hear charges against three Bishops who have been trying to unseat Archbishop Makarios.

Archbishop Makarios has charged the Bishops of Pathos, Kitium and Kyrenia with holding Conventicles (secret or unauthorised meetings) and causing a schism in the Cyprus Orthodox Church. The Bishops have declared Archbishop Makarios, who is also President of Cyprus, stripped of his Church titles.

The Church split has political significance because the three Bishops are backed by underground armed groups which President Makarios has claimed were formed by the former EOKA Guerrilla Leader, General George Grivas, with the aim of overthrowing the Government and declaring Enosis - union with Greece.

Patriarch Nicholas of Alexandria is presiding over the "major Synod" which Archbishop Makarios hopes will ratify his actions against the Bishops.