The dispute surrounding former Metropolitan Tychikos, the upcoming session of the Holy Synod, the remaining objections regarding the Council of Crete (Kolymbari), and the filling of the vacant Metropolis of Paphos continues to unfold.
The spokesman of the Holy Synod, Christakis Efstathiou, speaking to a Cypriot television network, confirmed that Tychikos is currently in Greece, accompanied by Fr. Evangelos Papanikolaou, a priest and doctor known for his extensive missionary work in Africa. Efstathiou stated that “they share a close friendship, and he is the one informing us about the Bishop’s health.”
According to the information available to the Holy Synod, Tychikos has completed his medical examinations, and doctors have recommended some additional preventive procedures, although nothing alarming was detected. He is expected to return to Cyprus and attend the next Synod session, “a development that will simplify matters,” Efstathiou remarked, “as it will allow all pending issues to be clarified.”
Regarding the crucial issue of the confession of faith, the Synod spokesman clarified that “this is a fundamental prerequisite for Tychikos to retain his position.” He explained that “the next meeting of the Holy Synod, likely in early November, will be the one where the situation and the intentions of Tychikos will be fully clarified.” He added that all indications suggest that “the confession of faith will eventually be signed, accompanied by a condemnation of the schismatic movement,” which “will allow proceedings to move forward without further complications.”
Efstathiou also addressed the Council of Crete (Kolymbari), which occasionally resurfaces in public debate. He pointed out that “although there were disagreements and reservations, the Church of Cyprus signed the decisions adopted there,” adding that “even if some hierarchs did not sign personally, they gave their consent to the late Archbishop Chrysostomos II to sign on behalf of the Church.” He emphasized that “what matters is that the synodal system of the Church is functioning, and disagreements are expressed within its proper framework.”
Asked why Tychikos is not permitted to celebrate the Divine Liturgy, Efstathiou clarified that “he is no longer the Metropolitan of Paphos, and therefore, in order to serve in any church, he must obtain permission from the locum tenens of the metropolis, that is, the Archbishop himself.” He added that “the Archbishop may wish to avoid situations of fanaticism or confrontation,” which could explain why such permission has not been granted.
Regarding the process of filling the Metropolis of Paphos, Efstathiou described it as “particularly significant, since the Metropolitan of Paphos traditionally serves as the locum tenens of the throne.” He stressed that “it is natural for there to be interest,” but warned that “the Church must not repeat the mistakes of the past, with factions, power balances, and internal cliques.” “It is the responsibility of both clergy and laity,” he said, “to elect worthy clerics who will honor their ministry and inspire trust among the people.”
In conclusion, the Synod spokesman underlined that “the Church of Cyprus is in need of unity, sobriety, and purity of intentions,” expressing the hope that “the upcoming session will mark the beginning of resolving open issues and restoring peace within the Church.”
On the other hand, Kyriakos Kyriakou, a member of Tychikos’s support group, spoke about the hierarch’s health condition, the developments surrounding the confession of faith, and the stance of the Archdiocese, describing an atmosphere of anxiety and disappointment over how events have unfolded.
He said that Tychikos’s health has stabilized, and there is currently no immediate need for surgery. “That is the good news,” he noted, adding that some additional medical tests remain before it is decided whether he will return to Cyprus or require further hospitalization.
Kyriakou confirmed that the confession of faith has been formally sent by his lawyer to both the Archdiocese and all members of the Holy Synod, yet it appears not to have been accepted. “If they claim not to have received it, let them publish the emails and the document itself to clear the matter up,” he said, implying that the rejection was not procedural but substantive.
According to him, the main issue is that the confession does not explicitly reference the Council of Crete (Kolymbari), something he described as entirely legitimate, given that four Patriarchates did not participate due to theological objections. “If Tychikos is to be pressured to endorse the Council of Crete, then the same pressure should be applied to all hierarchs who also refused to sign it,” he said, accusing the Archdiocese of double standards.
Kyriakou further claimed that no other Orthodox Church has ever demanded that a bishop formally declare his faith in writing regarding the Council of Crete, nor has any hierarch been punished for not doing so. “There is no theological issue here, no violation of sacred canons. On the contrary, this entire affair stems from internal frictions within the Synod,” he emphasized, suggesting that the crisis involving Tychikos is more administrative and political than doctrinal.
He also stated that Tychikos had repeatedly requested, both in writing and verbally, permission from the Archbishop, who currently acts as locum tenens of Paphos, to celebrate the Liturgy, but received a negative response. “This blow, being unable to serve, has deeply affected his health,” Kyriakou said with visible emotion.
Furthermore, Kyriakou revealed that certain Metropolitans also refused to grant permission, citing the need to avoid escalating tensions. “No one even called to ask how he is doing, as a brother. And that hurts,” he said, adding that even information about his illness was met with suspicion by the Archdiocese.
Referring to the overall atmosphere, Kyriakou remarked that the Church should no longer “sweep things under the rug.” “We came with clean hearts and hands to speak our truth. We do not wish to argue, but we must not repeat the same mistakes, because they will come back to haunt us,” he stressed.
He concluded by expressing hope that the issue would end with “the Church as the winner,” while clearly criticizing the Archdiocese’s handling of the affair. “What we are witnessing does not honor our Church. I hope this ends soon and with justice,” he said.
Source: sigmalive.com / Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
