The Synod of the Church of Cyprus is cracking down on bishops who disagree with the recognition of the OCU

The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus has begun repressing bishops who refuse to support the position of Archbishop George, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, on the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and a number of other fundamental issues. After Metropolitan Tykhikos of Paphos was stripped of his see, the head of the Church of Cyprus announced reprisals against Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou. This was reported by RIKnews.

According to media reports, the Primate of the Church of Cyprus, Archbishop George, stated that an internal schism had been uncovered in the Church of Cyprus, behind which stood a number of bishops. The head of the OCC referred their alleged schismatic actions to the Holy Synod for consideration, after which Metropolitan Tykhikos of Paphos was removed from his see. The hierarch actively opposed the recognition of the OCU and the strengthening of ecumenism in the Church of Cyprus. The Primate of the OCC stated that if Metropolitan Tikhon did not change his position, the issue with him would be resolved once and for all.

In addition, Archbishop George announced the consideration of another hierarch of the Church of Cyprus — Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou. Although the real reasons for such actions against the hierarch are not specified, given the trends in the Church of Cyprus, it becomes obvious that Metropolitan Neophytos will be “judged” for refusing to recognize the OCU and criticizing Archbishop George for entering into prayerful communion with Ukrainian schismatics.

We previously reported that Metropolitan Neophyt of Morphou assessed the actions of the Ukrainian authorities regarding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The hierarch called the persecution of the UOC lawlessness and compared Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a Khazar for his position on the canonical Church.