Metropolitan Tychikos to Synod of Cyprus: I remain Paphos hierarch

Metropolitan Tychikos. Photo: Facebook of the Paphos Metropolis

Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos sent a letter to the members of the Holy Synod of the Cyprus Orthodox Church on the eve of the next synodal meeting, insisting on his canonical status, reports UOJ in Greece. In his address, the bishop emphasizes that after filing an appeal to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and until his case is reviewed, he remains the canonical Metropolitan of Paphos.

Metropolitan Tychikos bases his position on sacred canons and statutory norms, according to which a final and legally binding court decision is required to depose him. "I remain the legitimate Metropolitan of Paphos, since there is no final verdict removing me from the see, as required by the sacred canons [Canon 87 of the Council of Carthage (Canon 96 in the Kormchaia)] and the Church Charter (Article 14),” the hierarch emphasized.

At the same time, Metropolitan Tychikos notes that in the name of church unity and to avoid "further temptation among the people of God", he decided to obey the synodal decree of May 22. However, the bishop categorically states: "Any decisions of tomorrow's regular synod, to which I was not invited, concerning the affairs of the sacred Metropolis of Paphos or my person, will be invalid until a final decision is made by the Ecumenical Patriarchate."

Metropolitan Tychikos also expresses a categorical protest regarding the fact that despite multiple requests, he has not yet been provided with documents on his case – the decision itself, meeting protocols, and accusation materials.

In the letter, the bishop mentions a phone conversation with Archbishop Georgios, who asked him to "refrain" from performing services, as "the people are concerned about the Synod's decree of May 22". The Metropolitan reports that he obeyed and did not serve on major feasts – the Ascension of the Lord, the day of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, Trinity, the day of the Holy Spirit, the memory of Saint Barnabas, the Synaxis of All Saints. However, the bishop emphasizes: "It is impossible to imagine a priest who does not perform the Liturgy, let alone a bishop!"

In this regard, the metropolitan requests the synodal blessing to conduct a service on July 6 in his native village of Mesana for a six-year memorial service for his mother, Frederika, as well as for subsequent services at the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Minfa. He concludes his letter with a principled statement: “I do not intend to provoke conflict, but I also cannot refuse the episcopal ministry and the fulfillment of my pastoral duties.”

According to sources, the actions of Metropolitan Tychikos have put Archbishop Georgios in a difficult position. There is growing dissatisfaction with his decisions not only among the laity but also among the nine bishops who initially supported the condemnation of Metropolitan Tychikos. According to the information, most of them now regret the decision, as they “have unreasonably thrown the faithful and the Church itself into turmoil”.

As reported, Metropolitan Tychikos submitted the Confession of Faith to the Synod of Cyprus.

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