The former Metropolitan of Paphos Tychikos sent a letter to the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, responding to the invitation to participate in a new session. The letter is dated October 14, 2026 and was composed in Mesa Paphos. As evident from the sworn declaration of service, which was certified at the Protocol Office of the District Court of Nicosia, the letter was officially served through a court process server to the offices of the Holy Synod on October 21, against the signature of a Secretariat employee.
The first issue raised by Metropolitan Tychikos is the change of his title. In all official synodal decisions that had been communicated to him, he was referred to as "Metropolitan formerly of Paphos," whereas in the Synod's letter of September 23, 2026, he is characterized for the first time as "former Bishop of Paphos." As he notes, no decision regarding a change of his title has been communicated to him, which is why this differentiation cannot be considered coincidental, since it raises questions about his canonical and ecclesiastical status.
A large part of the letter concerns the events of May 22, 2025. The Hierarch recalls that he had been summoned to the Synod for the examination of complaints against him, but the session was suddenly transformed, without prior notification, into a judicial proceeding, resulting in his being deprived of a genuine opportunity for defense. He emphasizes that the undermining of his trust in the process was the sole reason for which he resorted to the civil courts, and not from lack of respect toward the synodal institution. He also speaks of unbearable pressure and humiliating behavior during his last appearance before the Synod, as well as the serious consequences these events had on his health, including cardiological problems.
Metropolitan Tychikos requests that, before any new appearance before the Synod, he be informed in writing whether he is being summoned again as an accused, what the charge is and what procedure will be followed, or whether it concerns administrative matters. He further recalls that his suspension was imposed in his absence and that, according to his account, the decision was predetermined, since the Archbishop of Cyprus had announced it to Holy Monasteries of the Church of Greece, such as in Aegina, and to the mass media before its imposition by the Synod.
In closing, the Hierarch requests only one thing: that he be permitted, while residing in the house granted to him in Paphos, to celebrate the Divine Liturgy wherever the Synod deems appropriate, as well as to occasionally celebrate liturgy in his birthplace and to conduct memorial services for his relatives. At the same time, he expressly reserves all his canonical and legal rights, including those that may be recognized by decisions of the civil courts.
EOD publishes in full the letter of Metropolitan (Former) of Paphos Tychikos.
† TYCHIKOS
METROPOLITAN (FORMER) OF PAPHOS
Mesa Paphos, 14.10.2026
To
The Holy Synod
of the Most Holy Church of Cyprus
(Through His Eminence the Chief Secretary Thereof)
Subject: Response to the invitation for my participation in a session of the Holy Synod
Most Blessed Holy President,
Most Reverend Holy Synodal Brothers,
Most Reverend Holy Chief Secretary,
First of all, I wish to point out that in all official synodal decisions to date that have been communicated to me, I am referred to as "Metropolitan formerly of Paphos," whereas in your recently sent letter dated 23.9.2026, I am characterized, for the first time, as "former Bishop of Paphos."
This differentiation, which cannot be considered without significance, justifiably raises questions regarding my canonical and ecclesiastical status, given that no related decision concerning a change of the hitherto officially used title has been communicated to me.
This fact, in conjunction with what transpired during the session of the Holy Synod of May 22, 2025, has caused me the deepest concern and has seriously undermined my trust in the manner of conducting synodal proceedings that concern my person.
As you know, on the aforementioned date I had been invited to participate in a session of the Holy Synod, with the subject being the examination of complaints against me. Instead, and without prior notification to me, the synodal session was suddenly transformed into a judicial proceeding, with the consequence that I was deprived of a genuine and effective opportunity to exercise my rights of defense, as these are guaranteed by the Holy Canons, the Constitutional Charter of the Church of Cyprus and the fundamental principles of due process, being treated with unfavorable discrimination in relation to other Brothers.
This sudden change in the character of the session, moreover in the presence of Synodal Members holding law degrees, without my being afforded the opportunity for appropriate preparation and substantive defense, constitutes, in my conviction, an unprecedented and profoundly regrettable event for the synodal tradition and the history of the Church of Cyprus, perpetuated as unresolved.
I wish to make clear that this undermining of my trust in the observed procedure was also the sole reason for which I was compelled to resort to the civil courts, not from lack of respect toward the synodal institution, which I continue to honor, but for the protection of my fundamental rights, my episcopal dignity, the canonical order and legal certainty.
Permit me, also, to state with the deepest sorrow that the pressure which I endured during my last appearance before the Holy Synod was unbearable. The behavior which was exhibited toward my person was experienced by me as humiliating, and at times even mocking, toward a Hierarch who, although he had served for only two years as Metropolitan of Paphos, was entitled to brotherly love, respect and just and impartial treatment.
These events had most grave consequences upon my physical and mental health, leading to a serious collapse of my strength, acquiring most serious cardiological diseases, which I struggle to address to this very day.
For the above reasons, I respectfully request that, before any new appearance of mine before the Holy Synod, the specific matters for which I am being called to appear be communicated to me in writing, with clarity and completeness.
Specifically, I request that it be clarified whether I am being summoned again in the capacity of an accused, and, in such case, what the "charge" is, upon what factual circumstances it is based, and what procedure is to be followed.
If, on the contrary, the invitation concerns the settlement of administrative or other ecclesiastical matters, I request that these matters be specified precisely, so that I may be able to take cognizance of the subject of the invitation and respond in writing and responsibly.
This request of mine does not constitute a denial of respect toward the Holy Synod, but an elementary prerequisite for the existence of a climate of trust and for ensuring canonical and just procedure. I remind you that the imposition of suspension also took place in my absence, with your decision having been predetermined, as His Beatitude had announced it to Holy Monasteries of the Church of Greece (as in Aegina) and to the mass media, before the Holy Synod imposed it!
Finally, permit me to lay before the love of all of you, with absolute sincerity and humility, that the only thing which I desire and request is that I be granted the permission and blessing of the Holy Synod of the Most Holy Church of Cyprus, so that, residing as a guest in a house granted to me in Paphos, I may be able to celebrate the Divine Liturgy exercising my episcopal liturgical duties in whatever place the Holy Synod might permit, always within the bounds of canonical order and, in the case of ecclesiastical jurisdictions outside Cyprus, with the required permission and blessing of the respective ecclesiastical authorities. Finally I humbly pray that I be permitted by the Holy Synod to celebrate liturgy occasionally also in my birthplace, and to conduct memorial services for my relatives.
This desire of mine proceeds exclusively from my love for the Church and for the sacred ministry, to which I have dedicated my life, and from my desire to continue, in peace and humility, to serve the Holy Altar.
It is understood that this present request of mine is made with express reservation of every canonical and legal right of mine, including such rights as may be recognized or restored through the decisions of the civil courts, to which I have resorted as a consequence of what —through omission of essential procedure serving the purposes of just trial, recognized also by the Ecumenical Patriarch— transpired against me, for the purpose of just trial.
Despite the trials and my deepest bitterness, I continue to look to your brotherly love, justice and reconciliation in Christ, with the hope that truth, peace and canonical order will prevail, for the benefit of the Church and not for further trial of your least brother in Christ.
With deepest respect and brotherly love in Christ,
† Metropolitan (Former) of Paphos Tychikos