Lawyers for Metropolitan Tychikos reject Archdiocese's statement

Metropolitan Tychikos. Photo: UOJ

Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos has become the focus of a renewed standoff with the Archdiocese of Cyprus. On April 29, 2026, his legal team issued a detailed rebuttal of the Archdiocese’s statement of April 28, UOJ Greece reports.

In a press release, the lawyers argue that Metropolitan Tychikos did not violate sacred canons. He did not celebrate the service himself – the Divine Liturgy was conducted by another priest. The use of the omophorion during Communion and the commemoration of names at the proskomedia, performed by the serving priest, do not constitute an independent liturgical act. At the same time, Metropolitan Tychikos stated he is prepared to refrain from commemorating the living and the departed at the proskomedia in the future, so as to avoid causing scandal.

The lawyers also dispute the Archdiocese’s claim that complaints by political figures were not used in the indictment. They cite excerpts from a document dated May 22, 2025, which reference appeals by the mayor of Paphos, Phedonas Phedonos, and Greece’s Minister of Education. At the same time, key case materials – physical evidence – were never provided to the defense, despite formal requests.

The legal team further points to testimony alleging that Metropolitan Tychikos was physically removed from the altar by the protosyncellus, Fr. John. A monk who was present in the altar has already given a statement to the police, and other witnesses are expected to come forward in the coming days.

The Archdiocese, for its part, claims that Metropolitan Tychikos “struck and simultaneously pushed” the rector of the Church of the Holy Apostles Paul and Barnabas.

According to the lawyers, if procedural violations are confirmed, the Synod’s decisions would lack both legal and canonical grounds and should be overturned either by the Synod itself or by the Supreme Court of Cyprus. More than 1,500 people took part in a rally in Paphos on April 26 in support of Tychikos.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Tychikos issued a statement following his appeal to Constantinople. In May 2025, the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus voted 10–6 to remove him from the administration of the Paphos Eparchy. The conflict stemmed from his principled stance on the rebaptism of Protestants and his refusal to receive in Paphos the relics of the Apostle Paul when they were accompanied by a Catholic cardinal.

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