Cyprus Church Declares Metr. Tychikos Case Closed Despite Supreme Court Appeal
The Church of Cyprus says Metr. Tychikos’ appeal to the Supreme Court does not affect its decision, insisting the matter is closed and beyond the reach of civil courts.
NICOSIA, CYPRUS — The Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus considers the case of Metr. Tychikos closed, despite his appeal to the Supreme Court, according to Archdiocese spokesperson Christakis Efstathiou. Speaking on the television program Alpha Kalimera, Efstathiou said the metropolitan’s legal challenge to the Synod’s decision removing him from the Metropolitan Throne of Paphos places the matter in a different legal sphere but does not affect the Church’s stance.
Efstathiou cited past precedents, recalling a similar appeal by the former archimandrite of the Monastery of Avvakoum, Nektarios, in which the court ruled that civil authorities cannot intervene in the internal affairs of the Church. He stressed that the Church of Cyprus holds a distinct and constitutionally protected status, allowing it to regulate its affairs under its Charter, ecclesiastical law, and canon law.
Asked whether the appeal causes concern, Efstathiou said it does not, reiterating that for the Holy Synod the matter is concluded. He added that the Holy Synod will convene in an extraordinary session on Wednesday to amend the Church Charter regarding the procedure for electing Metropolitans.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Tychikos had returned to Cyprus ahead of the Synod meeting.
