He was born in Tala village, Paphos. At the age of 10 he lost his father and two years later, after finishing his elementary education, he joined the monastery of Ayios Neophytos in Paphos. He also attended Paphos Gymnasium, graduating in 1963. On November 3, of the same year he was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Trimithounda, Georgios. During the Makarios III's presidency, he stood by the Archbishop against the Junta of Athens and the the three metropolitans who led the Ecclesiastical coup.