Former Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos sent a letter to the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus

Former Metropolitan Tichik of Paphos sharply criticized the hierarchs of the Cypriot Orthodox Church, explaining his absence from the most recent meeting of the Holy Synod. According to Vima Orthodoxias, in a letter dated October 14, the clergyman protested the actions of the church leadership, which, he said, caused him not only moral but also physical harm.

Tichik cited the improper alteration of his ecclesiastical title as the main reason for his refusal to attend the meeting. He stated that his title had been arbitrarily changed from “former Metropolitan of Paphos” to “former Bishop of Paphos,” a change of which he had not been properly informed. In addition, the former metropolitan described his previous appearance at the Synod meeting as a “trial” in which he acted as the defendant, which, he claimed, led to serious heart problems.

In his statement, Tichik categorically denied accusations that he had attempted to establish a new ecclesiastical group among the priests of the Diocese of Paphos. He complained of pressure, public humiliation, and harassment from other hierarchs. At the conclusion of his letter, he demanded that the Holy Synod clearly outline the agenda for future meetings and expressed his willingness to answer any questions exclusively in writing.

As a reminder, we previously reported that a threat of schism is looming within the Cypriot Orthodox Church due to the crisis in the Paphos Metropolis.