The Holy Synod’s decision followed a Dec. 18 lay vote from among all Orthodox Christians on the east Mediterranean island nation in which Athanasios topped the poll, followed by Georgios and Tamasos Bishop Isaias.According to the Cyprus Church’s constitution, a lay vote is held to select the top three bishops and then the Holy Synod holds its secret ballot to elect the new archbishop.Georgios had been pegged as the favourite to win the synod’s approval despite Athanasios’ lay vote victory because of what numerous media reports suggested was the network of allegiances and dynamics within the synod.In remarks before the synod’s vote, Athanasios said the will of the people should be respected, but that he would accept any result “with peace and love,” urging supporters to demonstrate “respect.”Shouts of “truly worthy” from gathered supporters greeted the announcement of Georgios’ election inside the 16th-century Cathedral of St. John on Archbishopric grounds in the capital Nicosia.“I, first of all, thank God who permitted today’s election, the synod members who selected me with their vote and the people who chose me to be among the tripartite, Georgios said after his election. “I will try not to appear lesser than my predecessors.”Georgios studied chemistry and theology in Greece and later the U.K. before rising in the ranks within the church to be elected Paphos bishop in 2006.According to his biography, he won a European Court of Human Rights ruling against Turkey for violating his human rights after his arrest and maltreatment by Turkish authorities during a 1989 protest against the island’s division.ALSO READ Baptist Collegiate Ministries Names New Director