Cypriot believers publish open letter in support of Metropolitan Tychikos
Believers in Cyprus supported Metropolitan Tychikos. Photo: Paphos Metropolis
A group of Orthodox believers in Cyprus has published an open letter-declaration in support of Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos, addressed to the fullness of the Church of Cyprus – the clergy and laity. The document is signed by Chrysovalantis Besios.
In the appeal, the authors express their "deepest sympathy for the crisis that has befallen the venerable person of His Eminence, the former Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos", and declare their "unwavering spiritual support, based on the purity of the Holy Fathers' Tradition".
The laity emphasize that Metropolitan Tychikos's theological stance on issues of ecclesiological purity, especially regarding the texts of the 2016 Cretan Council, "represents a paternal confession and a call to sobriety". "The objection to the use of the term 'Church' in relation to heterodox communities is based on the unshakable dogmatic rule of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church", the letter states.
The authors compare the bishop’s stance to the feat of the confessors of the faith, recalling Saint Mark of Ephesus, who refused to accept the Union of Florence and preserved the purity of the Orthodox faith. “In the era of syncretic ecumenism, the defense of dogmatic strictness (akribeia) in the face of economy (ecclesiastical condescension) is the sacred duty of every hierarch and serves as a vivid example of resistance to the distortion of Orthodox consciousness,” the document emphasizes.
The faithful call upon the entire fullness of the Church to surround the suffering hierarch with prayer and love, referring to the words of St. Paisios of Mount Athos that the trials of the Church teach humility and true love. In conclusion, the authors address Metropolitan Tychikos: “We see in you a confessor of the faith and pray that the Lord may strengthen you in your continued ministry, which even in the absence of administrative authority remains a source of patristic teaching and spiritual testimony.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Metropolitan Tychikos was hospitalized.
Read also
OCU cleric responds to Hryshchuk's provocations at funerals for AFU soldiers
Sofroniy Chuprina refuted claims about the necessity of opening the Royal Doors during funeral services.
Kosmach residents accuse OCU monks of supporting "Russian world" ideas
Parishioners of the OCU stated that the monastery residents near the village of Kosmach use pro-Russian rhetoric, preventing them from switching to the "new calendar".
Medieval church in England safeguarded with National Lottery funds
The preservation of a 13th-century church in Leicestershire was made possible thanks to money from British National Lottery draws.
Lavra Reserve marks centenary of Bolshevik seizure of the monastery
Reconstructions of museum exhibits from the “museum town,” which the Bolsheviks proclaimed within the monastery walls, were staged by the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve.
Sweden stops state support for Islamic organizations in country
The Swedish government has officially stopped all taxpayer-funded grants to the aid organization Islamic Relief Sweden (IRS) after an investigation revealed risks of connections to extremism.
Head of Montenegro’s schismatics meet with Phanar representative in Rome
A Finnish archbishop under the Phanar’s jurisdiction held a meeting with a representative of an uncanonical church structure from Montenegro.