Crisis in the Metropolis of Paphos: Believers Reject the New Hierarch in Favor of the Persecuted Metropolitan Tychikos

Believers of the Paphos Metropolis of the Cypriot Orthodox Church have issued an open protest against the appointment of the new Metropolitan Gregory, expressing their unconditional support for Metropolitan Tychikos, who has been removed from office. According to Helleniscope, the church conflict has escalated following the Archbishop of Cyprus’s demand that Metropolitan Tychikos vacate the metropolitanate building, which sparked a wave of discontent among the faithful.

In their statement, parishioners emphasize that a formal appointment “from above” does not guarantee pastoral authority. According to the faithful, the new hierarch arrived with pre-prepared statements but without genuine recognition from the local community. “Open doors do not in themselves create trust,” the letter states, emphasizing that for many residents of Paphos, Tychikos remains the true shepherd, as he has always been close to the people, visiting schools, hospitals, and parishes without unnecessary formality.

According to Helleniscope, citing comments from Orthodoxos Typos, Metropolitan Tychikos is effectively being persecuted for his firm adherence to patristic traditions and his rejection of the ecumenical course. In particular, the hierarch insists on the necessity of performing the full sacrament of baptism for all those entering the Church, rejecting the practice of recognizing heterodox sacraments through chrismation as an unjustified “economy.”

The conflict in Paphos is also taking on a geopolitical dimension: supporters of Metropolitan Tichik point out that his stance against recognizing Ukrainian schismatics has become one of the reasons for the pressure being exerted on him. Believers declare that they will not accept the new head of the metropolis, considering his appointment the result of church maneuvers that ignore the conscience of the community and undermine the foundations of the church structure.