EXCLUSIVE: Metropolitan Tychikos to Holy Synod — “I Am the Canonical Metropolitan of Paphos”
UOJ-Greece reports that Metropolitan Tychikos sent a strongly-worded letter to the Cypriot Synod in which he insists on his legitimacy, citing Church canons and an appeal to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
PAPHOS — In a letter sent yesterday to the Metropolitans who are members of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Tychikos emphasizes that, following his appeal (ekkliton) to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and until his case is adjudicated, he remains the canonical Metropolitan of Paphos. He further stresses that, according to the sacred canons and Article 14 of the Church Charter, removal from office requires a final, irrevocable condemnation—something which does not currently exist, as the case is pending before the Patriarchal Synod.
“I remain the canonical Metropolitan of Paphos, because there is no final condemnation removing me from the throne, as prescribed by the sacred canons [Canon 87 of the Council of Carthage (Canon 96 in the Pedalion)] and the Church Charter (Article 14). Many canonists and legal experts in Cyprus and elsewhere hold the same view.”
At the same time, he emphasizes that for the sake of ecclesiastical unity and so that there is “no further scandal among the people of God—for which I would not be to blame,” he chose to obey the Synodal decision of May 22. However, he makes it clear that “any act, made in my absence, at tomorrow’s regular Synod session—for which I have not received an invitation to participate—that concerns matters of the Holy Metropolis of Paphos or myself, has no validity until the final decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”
Metropolitan Tychikos also expresses clear frustration that, despite repeatedly requesting the documents related to his condemnation (the decision, minutes, and evidence), they have still not been provided to him.
In the same letter, Metropolitan Tychikos states that he obeyed the “verbal instruction” of the Archbishop not to serve liturgically, because, as His Beatitude told him, “the people are unsettled by the Synod’s May 22 decision.” For that reason, he did not serve during the major feasts of the Ascension, the Holy Fathers, Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, St. Barnabas, and All Saints. However, he emphasizes:
“It is inconceivable for a priest not to serve—how much more so for a bishop!”
For this reason, he is now “asking for a blessing” from the Synod to serve on Sunday, July 6, in his home village of Mesana, Paphos, to commemorate the sixth anniversary of his mother’s repose, and afterwards at the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Minthis, and occasionally in churches of the Holy Metropolis of Paphos, since he resides within the Metropolis.
He concludes with the meaningful statement:
“I have no intention to provoke, but neither will I cease to be a bishop or fail to carry out my episcopal duties.”
Metropolitan Tychikos’ actions—first his canonical appeal, then the submission of a Profession of Faith in which he denounced indiscriminate schism (apotaxis) without the conditions required by the sacred canons, and now this letter to the Synodal hierarchs—have placed the Archbishop in a difficult position. He is now facing growing dissatisfaction not only among the faithful but even among the nine bishops who initially supported and condemned Tychikos.
According to our sources, most of these hierarchs have since regretted their decision, as “they needlessly dragged the faithful and the Church into turmoil,” as one of them reportedly said.
We have provided the full letter from Metropolitan Tychikos below
Tychikos, Bishop in Paphos
June 22, 2025
To
His Beatitude Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus,
To the Most Reverend and Right Reverend Metropolitans and Bishops,
Members of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus,
and the Secretariat of the Holy Synod of the Most Holy Church of Cyprus
In Nicosia
Your Beatitude,
Beloved in Christ holy brothers,
members of the Synod of our Most Holy Church,
-
I have submitted my canonical appeal (ekkliton), along with my Profession of Faith. The related documents were sent to the Ecumenical Patriarchate via the Holy Synod on June 18, 2025. The submission was made directly to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and not to the Holy Synod.
All documents were copied to you for your information only. Obviously, this does not imply that the Holy Synod will make any new decision regarding my case, as we are awaiting the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
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I remain the canonical Metropolitan of Paphos, because there is no final condemnation removing me from the throne, as prescribed by the sacred canons [Canon 87 of the Council of Carthage (Canon 96 in the Pedalion)] and the Church Charter (Article 14). Many canonists and legal scholars in Cyprus and abroad share this opinion.
Nevertheless, so that no division or further scandal may befall the people of God—for which I would not be at fault—I chose not to use my canonical title and to obey the communiqué of the Holy Synod. I must again note that I have not been provided the decision of the Holy Synod of May 22, the minutes of previous sessions, the evidence for the indictment, or the other documents I have repeatedly requested from the chief secretary of the Synod, most recently on June 18.
Therefore, any act concerning the Holy Metropolis of Paphos or my person taken at tomorrow’s regular Synod session, for which I have not received an invitation to attend, is without validity until the final decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
-
On May 23, I had a phone conversation with His Beatitude the Archbishop, during which I was asked to “step back for a while” and not serve liturgically, because the situation was still fresh and the people were unsettled by the Holy Synod’s communiqué of May 22.
I obeyed the verbal instruction of His Beatitude. Not only did I refrain from celebrating the Liturgy—though I continued to attend church and receive Holy Communion—but to this day I have made no public statements, neither oral nor written, so as not to appear as “provoking.” However, since then I have received no further information on the matter. The feasts during which I did not serve are numerous: the Ascension, the Holy Fathers, Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, St. Barnabas, and All Saints... It is inconceivable for a priest not to serve—how much more for a bishop! In the end, I may be accused of not wanting to serve, and of neglecting my episcopal duties.
God willing, during the weekend of July 5–6, I would like to serve in my hometown of Mesana, Paphos, to hold the six-year memorial for my mother, Frederica. Thereafter, I wish to serve primarily at the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Minthis, which otherwise remains without services, and occasionally at churches within the Holy Metropolis of Paphos, since I reside within the Metropolis.
I have no intention to provoke, but neither to cease being a bishop nor to neglect the performance of my episcopal duties.
I seek your blessing.
