Faithful in Cyprus Publish Open Letter in Support of Met. Tychikos of Paphos
Lay group hails hierarch’s stance on ecclesiological purity as a “patristic confession” and urges prayers for his strength amid ongoing trials.
OCT. 25, 2025 — A group of Orthodox Christians in Cyprus has issued an open declaration of support for Met. Tychikos of Paphos, addressing their appeal to the entire Church of Cyprus — its clergy and faithful. The statement, signed by Chrysovalantis Besios and obtained by the Union of Orthodox Journalists (UOJ), expresses deep sympathy for the Metropolitan and affirms “unwavering spiritual support based on the purity of the patristic Tradition.”
The authors praise Met. Tychikos’ theological stance on ecclesiological integrity, particularly his objections to the documents of the 2016 Council of Crete, calling his position “a patristic confession and a call to sobriety.” They emphasize that his rejection of the term “Church” when referring to heterodox communities “is grounded in the unshakable dogmatic rule of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.”
Drawing a parallel to the steadfast witness of St. Mark of Ephesus, who opposed the Union of Florence, the authors describe the Metropolitan’s actions as a contemporary confession of faith. “In the era of syncretic ecumenism,” the letter states, “the defense of dogmatic strictness (akrivia) over ecclesiastical condescension (oikonomia) is the sacred duty of every bishop.”
The faithful urge the Church to surround Met. Tychikos “with prayer and love,” recalling the words of St. Paisios that spiritual trials cultivate humility and true love. They conclude by addressing the hierarch directly:
"We see in you a confessor and pray that the Lord will strengthen you in your further service, which, even in the absence of administrative authority, remains a source of patristic teaching and spiritual witness."
Previously, UOJ reported that Met. Seraphim of Kythira had sent an open letter to Met. Tychikos of Paphos, in which he expressed support and criticized the legality of his deposition.
