Paphos choristers support Met. Tychikos in letter to Pat. Bartholomew

Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos. Photo: eeod.gr

The choristers of the Paphos Metropolis of the Cyprus Orthodox Church have sent letters to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, expressing their support for the return of Metropolitan Tychikos to the Paphos See. The full text of the letter was published by the Greek website of the UOJ.

The letters were signed by more than 100 choristers, readers, and students of the church music school of the metropolis – practically the entire singing community of Paphos.

Theologian Anastasios Georgios believes that "the significance of these letters lies not only in their content but, above all, in the fact that the choristers, by their action, disregarded the atmosphere of intimidation that the Archbishop is trying to impose, having unlawfully and uncanonically appointed himself as the locum tenens in the Paphos Metropolis."

"It is already known even in church circles in Greece that any cleric of Paphos who dares to speak in support of Tychikos finds himself under attack by the locum tenens and faces adverse consequences," said the Greek theologian.

According to him, the fact that the singers dared to sign two letters in defense of Metropolitan Tychikos, disregarding possible consequences, adds even greater significance to their action, testifying to a genuine church spirit and revealing the sincerity and authenticity of their testimony.

In the letter to the Ecumenical Patriarch, the choristers of Paphos call the deposition of Metropolitan Tychikos "a temptation of the devil, seeking to sow discord and division within the Church".

They briefly mention the efforts of Metropolitan Tychikos for the spiritual revival of the Paphos Metropolis, especially concerning the choristers and the church musical tradition as a whole.

It is particularly emphasized: "Bishop Tychikos, immediately after his enthronement, showed unprecedented care and concern for us, who are engaged in the art of church singing."

To confirm this, they provide specific actions:

a) the founding for the first time in Paphos of a choir participating in all liturgical and spiritual events;

b) the establishment – at the suggestion of the singers themselves – of the first Byzantine music school in Paphos, where dozens of young people study church music, "giving hope for a prosperous future for the art of singing in our metropolis, which chronically suffers from a severe shortage of personnel for the singing choirs";

c) the organization of the first meeting of choristers.

A hundred singers of Paphos particularly emphasize the humble behavior and spirit of their metropolitan, which became especially noticeable beyond Cyprus in connection with the temptation of deposition.

They note: "We were particularly impressed by his humility, as he repeatedly asked us about the order and statutes of services, willingly accepting our comments and suggestions."

The choristers of Paphos note Metropolitan Tychikos's care for the youth and conclude their letter with a request to the Ecumenical Patriarch:

"This hierarch surrounded us with paternal love, the memory of which prompted us to address Your Divine All-Holiness in this way. Having briefly outlined all of the above, we reverently bow and kiss your most pure hand, praying that the Mother Church will show its inherent extreme philanthropy, condescension, and love for our father, judging by its wisdom and by the will of our Lord Jesus Christ."

A letter of similar content in support of their canonical Metropolitan Tychikos was also sent by more than 100 singers, readers, and students of Paphos to Archbishop Georgios and all the hierarchs of the Church of Cyprus.

Commenting on the choristers' letters, Anastasios Georgios writes that "for us, living outside Cyprus but outraged and scandalized by the anti-church behavior of Archbishop Georgios, and at the same time deeply moved by the character of Metropolitan Tychikos, these letters, among other things, demonstrate his pastoral care and the spiritual fruits of his selfless – only two-year – archpastoral service in Paphos."

"At the same time, they expose as false and slanderous the claims of the Georgios – Fedon tandem (the Archbishop and the mayor), who are trying to present that under Tychikos the Metropolis was inactive and bore no fruit," writes Georgios.

He also expressed hope that the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Holy Synod have already realized what happened in Cyprus and will restore justice in accordance with church order.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Cypriot Metropolitan Tychikos filed an appeal to the Ecumenical Patriarch.

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