Greek hierarch: Metropolitan Tychikos unjustly condemned

Metropolitan Seraphim. Photo: Exodus

Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira sent an open letter to Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos, in which he expressed support and criticized the legality of the verdict issued against him, reports UOJ in Greece with reference to the official website of the Metropolis of Kythira.

In the message, Bishop Seraphim calls Metropolitan Tychikos "condemned without the prescribed canonical procedure" and urges the Church of Cyprus to adhere to the sacred canons and a "humane decision". Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira reported that on October 17, the day of the appeal hearing of Metropolitan Tychikos in the Ecumenical Patriarchate, he celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Monastery of the Holy Unmercenaries of Kythera, praying for the success of his case and the resolution of the drama.

"We had the hope and expectation that the Ecumenical Patriarch, together with the Patriarchal Holy Synod concerning him, would carefully examine your case and, finding, according to the Synodal announcement, omissions in the hearing of the case of Metropolitan Tikhikos before the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus as regards the provisions of its Statutory requirements," writes Bishop Seraphim.

The Greek hierarch expressed deep regret that despite the procedural violations identified by Constantinople, "the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod, judging de facto, unanimously confirmed the synodal decision of the Most Holy Church of Cyprus". "Following this, the question arises: when a case is not adjudicated lawfully and canonically, and all aspects of it are not properly examined, how is it possible for it to be judged justly and completely, on the basis of truth and justice, and 'de facto'? Can a decision taken in such a manner contribute to the peace of the people of God and the unity of the Christ-bearing fullness of the Church?" asks Metropolitan Seraphim.

The letter provides examples of unjust ecclesiastical courts from the two-thousand-year history of the Church, including the condemnation of the Savior, five exiles of Saint Athanasius the Great, the exile of Saint John Chrysostom, the 30-year exile of Saint Nectarios of Aegina without trial, the condemnation and deposition of three metropolitans of the Church of Cyprus under Archbishop Makarios, as well as the condemnation without trial and defense of 12 metropolitans of the Church of Greece in 1974.

Addressing Metropolitan Tychikos, Bishop Seraphim urges him to hold staedfastly to "the holy and immaculate Faith of the pious and Orthodox Christians", the Tradition of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, and the Divine and Sacred Canons of Orthodoxy. "if the All-Holy God allows a trial similar to the cases described above, be certain that sooner or later 'the heavens will speak', as the contemporary, long-suffering Saint of our Church, Metropolitan Kallinikos of Edessa, Pella, and Almopia, assured in August 1984, that is, the Lord will vindicate you," writes the Greek hierarch.

In conclusion, Metropolitan Seraphim quotes the words of the Holy Martyr Ignatius the God-bearer to Saint Polycarp of Smyrna: "Stand thou firm, as an anvil when it is smitten. It is the part of a great athlete to receive blows and be victorious."

Earlier the UOJ reported that Metropolitan Tychikos was hospitalized.

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