Full chronology, official documents from the Holy Synod and the Phanar, canonical commentary and sources.
Archimandrite Tychikos Vryonis is elected 70th Metropolitan of Paphos by the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus.
On 23 February 2023 the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus elects Archimandrite Tychikos Vryonis as the 70th Metropolitan of Paphos. The election concludes nearly two months of canonical procedure following the vacancy of the see. The vote passes with broad concord among the hierarchs.
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Enthroned at the Holy Cathedral of Saint Theodoros in Paphos as Metropolitan of Paphos and Exarch of Arsinoi and Romaia.
On 12 March 2023 the newly-elected Metropolitan is enthroned at the Holy Cathedral of Saint Theodoros in Paphos, receiving the title "Metropolitan of Paphos, Exarch of Arsinoi and Romaia." The ceremony is attended by numerous hierarchs from Cyprus and Greece.
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The Metropolitan refuses concelebration over the Archbishop's position on communion with the OCU (Ukrainian schismatics).
First public confrontation with Archbishop George III. Metropolitan Tychikos refuses concelebration over the Archbishop's position on communion with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). The disagreement becomes open.
Charges: ordaining a non-commemorating priest, refusing a wedding, critical views on Catholicism and mandatory sex education.
A group of hierarchs lodges a series of accusations against Metropolitan Tychikos: ordaining a non-commemorating cleric, refusing a wedding ceremony, public stances against Roman Catholicism and mandatory sex education. The charges set the stage for synodal review.
Holy Synod votes 10-6 to remove the Metropolitan from leadership of the Paphos Diocese. Retains episcopal rank.
On 22 May 2025 the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, by ten votes to six, deposes Metropolitan Tychikos from the episcopal administration of Paphos. The episcopal rank is retained. The decision provokes international reaction.
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"I respect the decision of the Holy Synod." The Metropolitan declares faith to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and prepares an appeal.
Metropolitan Tychikos issues an official response: "I respect the decision of the Holy Synod" — yet declares that he remains on his canonically lawful cathedra and is preparing an appeal to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He affirms fidelity to the Church and the Fathers.
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The Ecumenical Patriarchate, while acknowledging procedural violations, upholds the condemnation "for the sake of peace".
On 17 October 2025 the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, while acknowledging certain procedural irregularities, upholds the deposition "for the sake of ecclesiastical peace." Many regard the decision as canonically contested.
Clergy across Cyprus and Greece publicly support the Metropolitan. A priest in Paphos is suspended for his defense.
Bishops, abbots and spiritual fathers from Cyprus, Greece and Mount Athos voice their support for the Metropolitan publicly. Across all parishes of Paphos lay congregations form, open letters circulate, protests are organised. The case becomes international.
The case remains open. The fight for canonical justice does not cease.
The case remains open in the conscience of the faithful. Metropolitan Tychikos currently resides on Mount Athos. Public initiatives in favour of a just canonical review continue.
Official Act of Enthronement of Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos (12 March 2023).
Act of episcopal consecration of Archimandrite Tychikos.
Decision on removal from the throne. Vote 10–6.
Official response of Metropolitan Tychikos to the Holy Synod decision.
Legal and canonical clarifications on the filed appeal.
Ruling on the appeal, Constantinople, October 2025.
The synodal decision of 22 May 2025 was adopted by a vote of ten in favour and six against. Metropolitan Tychikos and his legal team argue that individual charges were not examined as separate proceedings, and that the composition of the investigative committee does not conform to the sacred canons.
At the heart of the case are the refusal of concelebration with the OCU, public stances against communion with Roman Catholicism, and opposition to mandatory sex education. All positions rest on theological and canonical foundations.
The Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, while acknowledging procedural irregularities, upheld the deposition "for the sake of ecclesiastical peace" on 17 October 2025. Many canonists consider this decision erroneous: the peace of the Church is not achieved by the sacrifice of canonical order.
Full canonical analysis by professors of canon law is in preparation. This is a preliminary presentation of the three key issues.