Conflict in the Church of Cyprus: the fate of former Metropolitan Tikhon depends on the confession of faith

The conflict over former Metropolitan Tikhon of Paphos continues in the Cypriot Orthodox Church. His fate depends on signing the confession of faith required by the Holy Synod, amid controversy surrounding the Council of Crete. The situation is expected to be clarified at the upcoming Synod meeting, while the hierarch himself is in Greece for health reasons.

According to Orthodox Times, Holy Synod spokesman Christakis Efstathiou confirmed that signing the confession of faith is «a fundamental precondition for Tikhon to retain his ministry.» According to him, all indications are that the document will eventually be signed along with the condemnation of the schismatic movement, thus resolving the situation. Efstathiou also said that Metropolitan Tikhon has completed a medical examination in Greece and his condition does not raise serious concerns. He is expected to return to Cyprus to participate in the Synod meeting, which is likely to take place in early November.

Referring to the issue of the Council of Crete (Kolymvari), which is one of the stumbling blocks, the Synod spokesman noted that despite the disagreements, «the Church of Cyprus signed the decisions taken there.» He emphasized that even if some hierarchs did not personally sign, they gave their consent to the late Archbishop Chrysostomos II to sign the documents on behalf of the whole Church. Efstathiou also explained the ban on Metropolitan Tikhon from serving the liturgy by saying that he is no longer Metropolitan of Paphos and that he needs the authorization of the locum tenens, that is, the Archbishop himself, to serve, who may «wish to avoid situations of bigotry or confrontation.»

On the other hand, the representative of the Metropolitan’s support group, Kyriakos Kyriakou, presented a different picture of events. He stated that the confession of faith had already been officially sent by Tikhon’s lawyer to the Archdiocese and to all members of the Synod, but apparently was not accepted. In his opinion, the main reason for the rejection was the document’s failure to mention the Council of Crete. Kyriacou called this demand a manifestation of «double standards,» pointing out that the four Patriarchates did not participate in the council for theological reasons, and other hierarchs who did not sign its decisions were not pressured to do so.

Kyriacou also emphasized that the refusal to allow him to serve the liturgy, which Metropolitan Tikhon had requested repeatedly, had «deeply affected his health.» He expressed disappointment at the lack of support from other hierarchs, «No one even called to ask how he was feeling as a brother. And that hurts.» He said the crisis is not theological, but rather administrative and political in nature, caused by «internal friction in the Synod.»

Ahead of the Synod meeting, both sides express hope for the restoration of peace in the Church. The Synod representative emphasized that «the Cypriot Church needs unity, sobriety and purity of intention.» At the same time, supporters of Metropolitan Tikhon insist on a just resolution of the conflict, criticizing the actions of the Archdiocese. Against the background of these events, the process of filling the vacant cathedra of Metropolitan Paphos continues, which, according to Efstathiou, is of special importance and requires avoiding «the mistakes of the past, with factions, balances of power and internal cliques.»

Recall, we reported earlier that Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira, a hierarch of the Hellenic Orthodox Church, publicly expressed support for Metropolitan Tihikos of Paphos and sharply criticized the legality of his sentence. In his open letter, Vladyka Seraphim called the condemnation of Metropolitan Tikhikos unjust and not in accordance with Church canonical procedures, and expressed deep regret over the approval of the sentence by the Patriarchate of Constantinople.