"Lenten weddings, Paphos and the Monastery of Avvakum": The Synod of the Church of Cyprus made a series of scandalous decisions

The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus at an extraordinary meeting chaired by Archbishop George of Cyprus adopted a number of significant decisions that will affect the administrative, canonical and pastoral life of the Church. Among the key initiatives are the decision to revise the Statutes, the extension of the temporary administration of the Metropolis of Paphos, the invalidation of the rites performed by suspended clerics of the Monastery of St. Avvakoum, as well as the permission to perform the sacrament of marriage during the Christmas fast. In addition, the inclusion of new petition hymns dealing with the Cyprus problem was approved.

According to Orthodox Times, the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus considered a number of issues at an extraordinary meeting held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. At the beginning of the meeting, the Synod, having identified ambiguities and practical difficulties in the application of the current Statutes of the Church of Cyprus, decided to restructure or completely revise them. For this purpose, a Drafting Committee, composed of Synod members and specialized lawyers, will be established. As part of this decision, the Synod also decided to extend the temporary administration of the Holy Metropolis of Paphos by the Archbishop of Cyprus, in order to allow sufficient time for the preparation and approval of the new Statutes.

At the same time, the Holy Synod informed the faithful that all rites celebrated in the illegally established Hesychastry by the suspended clerics of the Monastery of St. Abbakum, whose priesthood remains inactive, are null and void. Consequently, those who participate in such activities are not granted sanctifying grace.

At the pastoral level, the Synod decided to allow next year and in subsequent years the Sacrament of Marriage to be celebrated during the Christmas fast, up to and including December 12.

Recall, earlier we reported that the suspended Metropolitan Tychicus announced his intention to appeal to the civil courts of the Republic of Cyprus in January 2026. His goal is to seek reinstatement as ruling bishop of the Paphos Metropolis, as he considers the decisions taken against him to be unlawful.