Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos files a new appeal to Constantinople
The Primate of the Church of Cyprus is concerned that Metropolitan Tychikos is consistently challenging the decisions of ecclesiastical authority.
Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos has filed a new appeal to the Ecumenical Patriarchate – this time against the decision of the Holy Synod of the Cypriot Orthodox Church to suspend him from ministry indefinitely (to place him under prohibition).
This was reported by Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus, who expressed concern that Metropolitan Tychikos is consistently contesting the decisions of church authority, turning both to state courts and to church bodies.
According to the Primate of the Church of Cyprus, such a practice raises serious questions and does not help resolve the crisis.
At the same time, Archbishop Georgios stated that within the next three to four months the drafting of a new Charter of the Church of Cyprus will be completed, after which the Holy Synod will begin the procedure for electing a new Metropolitan of Paphos.
The proposed changes, he said, are of a fundamental nature and are aimed at strengthening church unity and preventing conflicts and confrontations, including at the parish level.
The Archbishop also emphasized that, when decisions are made, the mood and perception of what is happening on the part of the faithful will be taken into account.
In conclusion, the Primate of the Church of Cyprus stated that the case of Metropolitan Tychikos has not harmed the authority of the Church, noting that it proved possible to avoid more serious consequences that could have led to schisms.
At the same time, Archbishop Georgios criticized the Church of Greece for what he considers a belated response to the problem of the “non-commemorators,” and also stated that Russia is trying to use the current situation to inflame schism in the Orthodox world.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Metropolitan Tychikos would go to court to be reinstated to the Paphos see.
