Details Emerge in Cypriot Bishop’s Appeal to Patriarch Bartholomew
Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos contests his removal, citing lack of due process and breach of Church Charter.
CYPRUS — Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos has formally appealed to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, challenging a recent decision by the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus that removed him from office. The appeal, filed under Article 81 of the Church’s Charter, claims the May 22 decision was rendered in flagrant violation of canonical procedure and fundamental principles of justice.
According to a report by the Union of Orthodox Journalists (UOJ) Greek branch, the hierarch’s complaint outlines numerous procedural failures. These include the absence of an investigative committee, a lack of formal charges, no examination of evidence, no summoning of witnesses, and the denial of the opportunity to present a defense.
The appeal has reportedly been distributed to all bishops of the Church of Cyprus, some of whom are now said to be expressing second thoughts about both the decision and the manner in which it was made.
In his petition to the Ecumenical Patriarch, Metropolitan Tychikos writes:
“The procedure by which I was removed from the see of the Metropolis of Paphos has nothing in common with the ‘righteous judgment’ spoken of in the Law of Moses (Deut. 16:18) and required by modern legal order (Article 6 of the ECHR). It more closely resembles the mocking ancient Greek proverb: ‘to judge like a Scythian or a Samosatian…’”
The appeal places Patriarch Bartholomew in a pivotal position to determine whether the decision of the Cypriot Synod can be upheld despite allegations of sweeping violations. The case raises broader questions about episcopal rights, canonical integrity, and the rule of law within the Orthodox Church.
Previously, UOJ reported that Tychikos’ appeal to Constantinople could mark a pivotal moment in redefining the role of the Patriarchate within the Orthodox world.
