Türkei: Constantinople upholds Church of Cyprus’ deposition of Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos

The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople has unanimously upheld the May 2025 decision by the Church of Cyprus to depose His Eminence Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos, concluding his ecclesiastical appeal that had suspended the execution of his removal. Meeting on Friday, October 17, the Constantinople Synod received Met. Tychikos at its Synodal chambers, where all Synodal members questioned him regarding the charges brought against him. The Metropolitan, who enjoys popular support within the Paphos diocese, responded to these questions during the hearing. 

The Patriarchate issued the following statement:

The Holy and Sacred Synod, continuing its work today, Friday, October 17, 2025, dealt extensively with the appellate appeal of the Most Reverend Metropolitan Tychikos formerly of Paphos, whom it received at the Synod of the Great Church and to whom questions were put by all the synodal members regarding the charges attributed to him, to which he attempted to respond.

During the examination of the case file, omissions were found in the adjudication of the case of Metropolitan Tychikos by the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus regarding the provisions of its statute, however all members of the Holy and Sacred Synod, judging on the merits, unanimously ratified the synodal decision of the Most Holy Church of Cyprus.

Finally, it was recommended to the Metropolitan formerly of Paphos to obey the decisions of the Holy Synod of his Church, both for his own spiritual benefit and for the peace and unity of the Church.”

While the Patriarchate acknowledged procedural omissions in how the Church of Cyprus handled the case relative to its own charter, the Holy Synod nevertheless unanimously ratified the Cypriot decision. Met. Tychikos had appealed specifically on the grounds of procedural violations. 

Following the hearing, Met. Tychikos released a video statement thanking Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy Synod. “I thank my Patriarch and father Bartholomew and the Holy Synod with him, who listened to me with great love, patience and justice,” he stated. “I must clarify once again that I condemn schism.”

The case originated from the May 22, decision by the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, which voted 10-6 to remove Met. Tychikos from the Metropolis of Paphos. The Cypriot Synod brought three specific charges against him: allegedly ordaining a member of a Thessaloniki religious group that operates independently without commemorating the local hierarch 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; and consecrating a chapel dedicated to an uncanonized cleric.

Met. Tychikos filed his appeal with Constantinople in June 2025June 2025. Under Article 81 of the Church of Cyprus’ statutes, any hierarch sentenced to deposition or defrocking may appeal to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, with the filing of such an appeal immediately suspending execution of the Synodical decision until Constantinople renders its judgment. (Quelle: www.orthochristian.com, 20. Oktober 2025)