The Church of Cyprus distances itself from former Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos regarding the recent incident that took place in a church in the Cypriot city.
Specifically, the Church of Cyprus confirms the statements of the Protosyncellus, namely that the former Metropolitan physically assaulted him, and that he also entered the church wearing the vestments of a Metropolitan (which is prohibited, as he is under suspension) and attempted to perform the rite of commemoration at the Prothesis. It also cites as a witness the second priest of the church.
In its statement, the Church of Cyprus also denies rumors that the Mayor of Paphos was urged to fabricate accusations against the former Metropolitan Tychikos. It calls on anyone with information regarding financial irregularities or mismanagement in the Metropolis to contact the Audit Department of the Holy Synod or the competent police authorities.
Read below the statement of the Church of Cyprus:
As in recent days, many distortions of reality and truth have come to light, we wish to restore the truth, to point out the following:
- Clergy who are under suspension are not permitted to wear the vestments associated with their rank, nor to perform the commemoration (offering) at the Holy Prothesis. The suspended former Metropolitan of Paphos, Tychikos, donned the epitrachelion and omophorion last Sunday and, using the portion and the holy lance, performed the commemoration at the Holy Prothesis of the Church of the Holy Apostles Paul and Barnabas. His lawyer, as a former cleric, should be well aware of what the penalty of suspension entails for a clergyman.
- When the presiding priest of the church pointed out that such actions were not permitted, the former Metropolitan struck and pushed him. There is relevant testimony from the second priest of the church. No one prevents the former Metropolitan from praying and chanting in various churches, especially since he possesses the qualifications of a chanter and has a melodious voice. Indeed, this is what he has been doing recently, visiting churches celebrating their feast days. However, he is not permitted to perform the commemoration at the Holy Prothesis, which, for reasons unknown, he did for the first time last Sunday.
- Claims that His Beatitude the Archbishop urged the Mayor of Paphos, Mr. F. Phaedonos, to “fabricate” accusations against the former Metropolitan of Paphos to facilitate his removal from the Metropolitan Throne are false and unfounded. Instructions have already been given to the Archbishopric’s lawyers to act accordingly. Moreover, neither the complaints of the Mayor of Paphos nor other more serious and specific accusations were included in the indictment against the Metropolitan of Paphos. The charges he faced were of an ecclesiological nature and, on this basis, the Holy Synod initially declared him deposed from the throne and later imposed the penalty of suspension. These are the charges that were examined, and on the relevant decisions of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate also relied in rejecting both appeals submitted by the former Metropolitan of Paphos.
- If anyone has information or testimony regarding financial irregularities or mismanagement in the Metropolis of Paphos, they are urged to contact the Audit Department of the Holy Synod. Anyone possessing evidence of financial crimes may report it to the competent police authorities. However, those who knowingly lie should, beyond facing the legal consequences of their actions, reflect on their conscience or fear God.
- The faithful people of Paphos are called upon to place their trust in the Church and the Holy Synod and not to be led astray either by defrocked clergy or by ostensibly pious Christians who, “for their own benefit,” seek to draw them into their misguided beliefs. The Holy Synod will very soon, with sobriety, elect the new shepherd of Paphos.
