Paphos, Cyprus, June 5, 2025
Met. Tychikos (L), Abp. Georgios (R). Photo: eeod.gr
His Eminence Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos has formally challenged his recent deposition by the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, filing a comprehensive appeal with the Patriarchate of Constantinople that automatically suspends his removal from office.
The multi-page petition, submitted today to the Secretariat of the Holy Synod, contests the May 22 Synodal decision that removed him from the Metropolis of Paphos by a narrow 10-6 majority vote, according to the Union of Orthodox Journalists-Greece.
Formal Charges and Underlying Tensions
The Cypriot Synod brought three specific charges against Metropolitan Tychikos:
- Allegedly ordaining a member of a Thessaloniki religious group that operates independently without commemorating the local hierarch, though not in formal schism, and concealing this action
- Systematic refusal to celebrate mixed marriages and failure to recognize sacraments of Chrismation and certificates of Orthodox faith from other canonical Orthodox Churches
- Consecrating a chapel dedicated to an uncanonized cleric
However, observers widely believe these formal accusations mask deeper disagreements over Met. Tychikos’ strong opposition to ecumenical initiatives, suggesting the charges served as a pretext for his removal due to ecclesiological differences.
Legal Challenge Halts Proceedings
Under Article 81 of the Church of Cyprus’ statutes, any hierarch sentenced to deposition or defrocking may appeal to the Patriarchate of Constantinople—a provision that also exists in the Church of Greece. The filing of such an appeal immediately suspends execution of the synodical decision until Constantinople renders its judgment.
The UOJ explains that this legal mechanism means Met. Tychikos canonically remains in his position as Metropolitan of Paphos, preventing the Synod from proceeding with the election of a replacement. Consequently, the Archbishop of Cyprus no longer serves as Locum Tenens of the Paphos Metropolis.
Procedural and Substantive Concerns
Critics note that the Cypriot Synod violated the proper procedure for deposing a hierarch as outlined in the Church’s statutes, raising questions about the legitimacy of the May 22 decision.
Regarding the specific charges brought against Met. Tychikos, each has faced significant challenges since the deposition.
The priest referenced in the allegation about ordaining someone from a “walled-off” group, Fr. Dimos Serkelidis, strongly refuted the charge but was subsequently suspended for condemning the Synod’s violation of Church statutes.
Concerning the consecration of a chapel honoring a non-canonized saint, it was later revealed that Archbishop Georgios had performed similar consecrations.
As for the alleged refusal to celebrate mixed marriages, even testimony from a Cypriot professor in America that was used against the Metropolitan revealed that he did not outright refuse but requested to meet with the wife beforehand; however, the husband, who had arranged the entire wedding before consulting ecclesiastical authorities, claimed there was insufficient time for such a meeting before the ceremony.
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