Appeal of Former Metr. Tychikos Partially Upheld as New Bishop Is Consecrated Amid Protests
Cyprus Supreme Court allows Tychikos to challenge Ecumenical Patriarchate decision but rejects appeal regarding Church of Cyprus ruling.
NICOSIA — The Supreme Court of Cyprus has partially accepted the appeal of former Metr. Tychikos of Paphos, allowing him to proceed with legal action concerning the decision of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate that confirmed his deposition, while rejecting his challenge regarding the decision of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus.
The ruling concerned Tychikos’ request for an extension of the deadline to file an application seeking permission for the issuance of prerogative writs against two ecclesiastical decisions: the May 22, 2025, decision of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, which declared him deposed from the Metropolitan throne of Paphos, and the October 17, 2025, decision of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which confirmed his deposition.
Regarding the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s decision, the Supreme Court ruled that although Tychikos had been aware of the decision from the day it was issued, he had not received an official copy within the required 45-day period despite submitting requests for it.
The Court stated that “the failure to obtain a copy of the decision within the deadline, without fault on the part of the appellant, constituted a circumstance that prevented him from applying to the Court in a timely manner to seek a remedy.”
The judges disagreed with the earlier ruling that Tychikos had remained unjustifiably inactive, noting that the copy of the decision was only provided to him on January 8, 2026 — after the legal deadline had already expired.
The Supreme Court also noted that “the failure of the competent authority to immediately respond in providing the appellant with a copy of the decision, despite his submission of a relevant request, undoubtedly has its own significance regarding the expiration of the prescribed deadline.”
However, the Court rejected Tychikos’ appeal regarding the decision of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus. It ruled that there were no exceptional circumstances justifying an extension of the deadline, noting that Tychikos had full knowledge of his deposition from the date the decision was issued.
The Court stated that his decision to await the outcome of his appeal before the Ecumenical Patriarchate did not provide sufficient justification for missing the deadline. It agreed with the first-instance ruling that the need to exhaust ecclesiastical remedies “does not constitute a valid justification, especially since the deadline for filing an application for permission was already running and expiring.”
Emphasizing the importance of procedural deadlines, the Supreme Court stated that “compliance with deadlines is not a matter of form but of substance” and that seeking a prerogative remedy “must take place as soon as possible.”
As a result, the Supreme Court rejected the appeal concerning the Church of Cyprus decision but accepted it regarding the Ecumenical Patriarchate decision. The first-instance ruling was overturned only in the second part of the case, granting Tychikos ten days to file an application seeking permission for the issuance of a Certiorari writ regarding the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s October 17, 2025, decision.
The court decision came as the Church of Cyprus proceeded with the installation of a new Metropolitan of Paphos.
On June 11, 2026, Abp. Georgios of Cyprus consecrated Gregory Ioannidis as Bishop and prepared him to assume the Metropolitan throne of Paphos during a ceremony held at the Cathedral of the Apostle Barnabas in Nicosia.
The consecration took place in the presence of members of the Holy Synod, representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and other Orthodox Churches. Abp. Georgios presided over the ordination ceremony, during which Gregory Ioannidis read the Symbol of Faith and affirmed his adherence to the decisions of the Ecumenical Councils.
The ceremony proceeded despite expectations of protests from supporters of Tychikos. During the service, one attendee attempted to shout “Unworthy,” and was removed from the church, according to reports.
Outside the cathedral, groups of believers expressed opposition to the Synod’s decision, arguing that Church statutes had been violated and that the views of many Orthodox faithful had been ignored. Protesters reportedly interrupted the service with cries of “Axios?” and “Unworthy!” before leaving the area.
According to one local report:
There was a very small gathering of believers who had gathered at the south entrance of the cathedral and shouted "Unworthy!" There was a minor tension between the believers. In any case, these believers subsequently exited the temple and left a short time later."
Supporters of Tychikos have accused the leadership of the Church of Cyprus of disregarding canonical procedures in selecting the new metropolitan and claimed that the community’s concerns had not been taken into account.
The faithful also criticized what they described as a move toward greater Catholic influence and said that Tychikos had remained faithful to traditional Orthodox positions.
During his address, Abp. Georgios encouraged the new Metropolitan of Paphos, telling him that “the prayers of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will accompany you.” He also called on Metr. Gregory to continue the Church’s mission and to uphold Cyprus’ historical and national concerns.
The enthronement of Metropolitan-elect Gregory Ioannidis is scheduled to take place at Paphos Cathedral, with continued speculation over possible demonstrations by supporters of Tychikos during the ceremony.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the legal team of former Metr. Tychikos had raised questions about the Archbishopric's role in his removal.
