Church of Cyprus Synod suspends Metropolitan Tychikos from ministry

Synod of the Church of Cyprus. Photo: philenews.com

On January 8, 2026, the Holy Synod of the Cypriot Orthodox Church resolved to prohibit Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos from exercising the priestly ministry for an indefinite period, philenews.com reports.

The decision was taken after the hierarch refused to sign the required “confession of faith” – a document which the Synod regarded as a condition for Metropolitan Tychikos to be able to continue serving as a bishop, but on another see.

According to a representative of the Holy Synod, the session, chaired by Archbishop George of Cyprus, decided to impose on Metropolitan Tychikos a penalty in the form of an open-ended suspension from ministry. This measure will remain in force until the hierarch fully accepts the Synod’s conditions.

The Synod also said that its work has not been completed due to the large number of issues, and the session will continue next Wednesday.

As the statement details, the document that Metropolitan Tychikos sent to the Synod was found unsatisfactory because it did not contain key points that the Synod members had specified to him in advance.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Metropolitan Tychikos had sent a confession of faith to the Synod of Cyprus.

Read also

U.S. politician thanks Vance and Luna for supporting UOC believers

Whiteford spoke of violations of believers’ rights in Pryiutivka and Kuzmyn and thanked the leadership of the Republican Party for its stance in defense of religious freedom.

MP to SBU: UOC Primate commemorates Kirill but does not commemorate Bartholomew

Solomiia Bobrovska demands that Metropolitan Onuphry be investigated after he commemorated Patriarch Kirill among other primates.

U.S. congresswoman demands explanations from Ukraine’s ambassador over Kuzmyn

U.S. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna demanded explanations from the Ukrainian authorities over an attempted seizure of a church in Kuzmyn.

Streets to be closed in Volodymyr over Dumenko's visit

In Volodymyr, traffic will be partially restricted on streets due to the arrival of OCU leader Dumenko.

MP urges Uniates to help OCU with transitions of UOC churches

Solomiya Bobrovska complained about the "freezing" of the situation with community transitions and accused the OCU and UGCC of insufficient work with UOC believers.

Ukraine’s ombudsman expresses concern over defending Constantinople Patriarchate

Lubinets said Russia’s accusations against Patriarch Bartholomew are unfounded.