Metropolitan Tikhikos' lawyers denied accusations of creating an alternative church structure

The legal representatives of Metropolitan Tikhikos made an official statement in which they denied the information about the hierarch’s plans to create a separate church jurisdiction. The lawyers called the information disseminated in the media a smear campaign and purposeful harassment. This is reported by the UOJ in Greece.

The reason for the sharp reaction of the lawyers was the morning broadcast of a program on the TV channel Sigmalive with the participation of Theodoros Kyriakou. During the program there were allegations that the ruler allegedly promised loyal clergymen to organize a new structure in opposition to the official Church. At the same time, it was claimed that the financing of the project and payment of salaries to clerics were to be financed by a certain “Russian tycoon”.

Human rights activists categorically rejected these accusations, calling them groundless and aimed at publicly discrediting the archpastor. The official statement emphasizes that the TV channel grossly violated basic standards of journalism, completely ignoring the position of the other side. Despite the fact that the Metropolitan openly communicated with the faithful in the churches of Paphos during the Easter days, the authors of the program made no attempt to contact him to verify the facts.

In connection with the incident, the defense side announced its intention to defend the honor and dignity of the hierarch in state and European courts. The lawyers noted that the appeal to a secular court is a legitimate step to defend against lawlessness and does not violate church unity in any way. It is worth recalling that earlier the faithful have already sent a letter to Archbishop George of Cyprus in defense of Metropolitan Tikhikos.

Recall that on April 26, 2026, a peaceful demonstration is planned in the Cypriot city of Paphos, organized in support of the former Metropolitan of Paphos Tihikos (Tihikos) and in protest against the current developments in the church hierarchy.