Believers consider Tychikos only legitimate Metropolitan of Paphos, media

Metropolitan Tychikos. Photo: vimaorthodoxias.gr

In the Cyprus Orthodox Church, tension is mounting around the fate of Metropolitan Tychikos. The faithful of Paphos declare that they consider him the only legitimate hierarch of their diocese and oppose any attempts at his removal. The issue has now taken on broader dimensions, as the local community openly expresses its opposition to any attempt to replace the chief pastor who was duly elected by the ecclesiastical body, reports the Greek publication Vima Orthodoxias.

It is reported that in recent weeks, strong tension has prevailed in the Metropolis of Paphos. The development of events around the question of the possible removal of Metropolitan Tychikos is causing serious protests among clergy and laity.

According to ecclesiastical sources, the case is being examined with particular attention by the  Church of Cyprus , while at the same time believers and clergy in the region insist that the only legitimate metropolitan of Paphos remains Tychikos, who was elected according to the prescribed ecclesiastical procedures.

The residents of Paphos declare that they will not accept any change to the throne of the Metropolis that is not based on the sacred canons of the Church. For the faithful of the area, the issue is not only administrative but deeply spiritual and ecclesiological. 

They argue that the metropolitan elected by the Church's electoral body cannot be removed without strictly following all canonical procedures. They themselves speak of the need for complete transparency and canonical order, as provided for in the Church's charter.

The faithful also express concern that the process of removing the hierarch may have proceeded too quickly and without full consideration of all circumstances. They believe that insufficient charges were presented to justify such a serious ecclesiastical act.

Many even argue that those involved in procedures considered uncanonical should be held accountable before the Church.

"Currently, the Paphos Metropolis is experiencing one of the most critical moments in its modern history. The faithful declare that they will defend legitimacy and church order by all lawful and peaceful means," the message states.

One of the slogans that can often be heard among the faithful states that the Paphos Metropolis needs not "puppets" or "mouthpieces," but a true pastor. For the residents of Paphos, Metropolitan Tychikos remains the legitimate pastor – a hierarch who was elected and served the diocese in accordance with the sacred canons of the Orthodox Church.

As the UOJ wrote, the Supreme Court of Cyprus rejected the appeal of Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos.

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