Synod of Cyprus sets conditions for lifting Met. Tychikos' suspension

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

On January 8, 2026, the Holy Synod of the Cypriot Orthodox Church determined the conditions to lift the sentence of indefinite suspension for Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos. This is stated in the official statement of the Synod.

According to the document, the key condition for the possible lifting of the ban is the requirement to submit the specific Confession of Faith requested by the Holy Synod. The hierarch is also expected to withdraw his appeal or his intention to appeal to Civil Courts and agree to accept new duties in the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus, which will be assigned to him by the Archbishop of Cyprus.

In addition, the statement contains a requirement to publicly condemn the course towards the so-called demilitarization of the Church, as well as to cease actions that the Synod deemed as causing disruption and scandal to the Church staff.

The meeting of the Holy Synod took place without the participation of Metropolitan Tychikos himself, despite the fact that he specifically arrived to participate in the discussion of his case. His absence was officially explained by health reasons. However, according to church sources, the hierarch expressed disagreement with the format of his invitation, as he was not allowed to attend the meeting as a full Synod member.

As follows from the statement, in making the decision, the Synod referred, among other things, to the refusal of the metropolitan to fulfill previously set requirements by the Church of Cyprus, as well as his intention to defend his position in the legal field, which was characterized as incompatible with church canons. The further development of the situation will depend on the path chosen by Metropolitan Tychikos.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Synod of the Cypriot Church suspended Metropolitan Tychikos from ministry.

Read also