Metropolitan Tihikos left the premises of the Paphos Metropolitanate after an ultimatum from the Primate of the Church of Cyprus

Metropolitan Tychicus of Paphos left his pulpit and residence, leaving his keys at the door, following an ultimatum from Archbishop George, who threatened police intervention. The event is the culmination of a long-running ecclesiastical dispute in Cyprus.

According to Εκκκλησία Online, Metropolitan Tychicus was forced to vacate the Paphos diocesan premises. Archbishop George demanded the keys be handed over by the morning of January 29, threatening to call the police for an inventory.

Metropolitan Tychicus responded by saying that the keys were already at the door and emphasized that he had never kept personal belongings either in the office or in the apartments. He called any forced entry without a court order an «arbitrary action,» but decided to keep the keys «in order to protect church institutions from untimely and inappropriate actions.»

The confrontation followed a May decision by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus to remove Tihikos from his post as Metropolitan of Paphos. He was accused of supporting schismatic clergy, which he categorically denies. Metropolitan Tikhikos appealed the decision to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, which, although recognizing procedural violations, upheld the decision.

The metropolitan’s supporters claim that the hierarch is being persecuted for his traditional theological positions. His indefinite suspension from ministry, imposed in January, is also being appealed and, according to his lawyers, this suspends the suspension.

Recall that we reported earlier that the suspended hierarch of the Cypriot Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Tikhikos of Paphos, filed a new appeal with the Patriarchate of Constantinople, challenging the decision of the Synod of the Church of Cyprus to suspend him from ministry. In response, Archbishop George of Cyprus commented on the situation, expressing his opinion about the possible influence on Tychicus by third parties and calling his actions illogical. At the same time, the Paphos Metropolis is preparing to elect a new head, which, according to the new statutes, will be held without the participation of the laity.