There was a heated debate in the Greek Parliament over the case of former Metropolitan Tikhikos of Paphos

A heated conflict broke out in the Greek parliament during the discussion of an issue raised by independent MP Nikos Papadopoulos regarding the situation surrounding former Metropolitan Tikhikos of Paphos. According to Orthodoxia.info, the discussion turned into an open confrontation between the MP and Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs Konstantinos Vlasis.

MP Papadopoulos reiterated allegations of Greek government interference in the affairs of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus. He fully endorsed the rhetoric of the supporters of the suspended hierarch, presenting the incident as a «pan-Orthodox crisis» and claiming mass discontent among the faithful.

In response, Deputy Minister Konstantinos Vlasis sharply criticized the deputy’s position. He directly hinted that Papadopoulos acts «as a political spokesman for the interests of specific ecclesiastical and peri-ecclesiastical circles that are in confrontation with the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Cyprus.» Vlasis emphasized that the MP is acting as a representative of a cleric convicted of ecclesiastical offenses.

Vlassis paid special attention during his speech to the Zealot groups in Thessaloniki, linking the case of Tychicus to movements that «bring schism into the church body and undermine the canonical order.» According to the deputy minister, such actions are «a hostile act against the Hellenic Orthodox Church» and have nothing to do with true piety.

The Greek government showed a firm intention to deconstruct the version of the persecution of Tychicus, presenting the situation not as state intervention, but as an attempt by certain circles to turn an internal church process into an ideological campaign. Vlasis concluded the discussion by expressing his support for the Church of Cyprus and Archbishop George, calling it a «martyr church» that has historically defended Greek identity.

Recall, we reported earlier that a large-scale protest by supporters of Metropolitan Tychicus was held outside the Archdiocese of Cyprus, timed to coincide with the upcoming critical meeting of the Holy Synod. The demonstrators demanded the immediate return of the suspended hierarch to his duties and opposed proposed reforms to the Church’s Statutes.