In an extensive review of ecclesiastical current affairs today, Sunday of Pentecost, May 31, 2026, Archpriest Fr. Arsenios Vliagkoftis spoke through his personal YouTube channel.

The well-known theologian and cleric devoted the greater part of his program to the recent election of a new Metropolitan of Paphos by the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, examining the issue from the perspective of the Canon Law of the Orthodox Church.

According to Fr. Arsenios' position, the election of Archimandrite Gregorios Ioannidis to the position of Metropolitan of Paphos, while his predecessor Metropolitan Tychikos is alive and has not resigned, constitutes a serious canonical lapse.

Criticism of the Election of a New Metropolitan of Paphos

Fr. Arsenios Vliagkoftis based his remarks on an article from the website "Tas Thyras" dated May 27, 2026, which bears the title "The Adulterous Archimandrite Gregorios Ioannidis Thanks God for Allowing Him to Steal the Bride". Analyzing the term "adulterous," the cleric explained that in ecclesiastical tradition the relationship of a bishop with his diocese is compared to marriage, therefore the occupation of an already occupied see is considered spiritual adultery.

In his analysis, Fr. Arsenios focused on the following points:

The Amendment of the Charter: It was noted that for the first time elections in the Church of Cyprus were conducted with summary procedures without the participation of the faithful people, following a relevant amendment promoted by Archbishop of Cyprus Georgios. The election took place within the Synod with 12 votes in favor versus 4 against.

The Profile of the Newly Elected: Fr. Arsenios stated that Archimandrite Gregorios Ioannidis, dean of the Theological School of the Church of Cyprus, is characterized by critical posts as "indiscriminately obedient" and "ecumenist." Examples cited included the celebration of a funeral service over the ashes of compatriot Nikos Mouyiaris in 2019 at the order of the late Archbishop Chrysostomos, as well as the organization of the 10th international liturgical symposium of the Society of Eastern Liturgical Studies in Nicosia, where heterodox (monophysites) and uniates participated.

Invocation of the 16th Canon of the First-and-Second Council

The central canonical argument presented by Fr. Arsenios Vliagkoftis to substantiate his position is Canon 16 of the First-and-Second Holy Synod (Constantinople, 861 AD), which explicitly states:

"In no way shall a bishop be installed in a church while its previous head still lives and retains his own honor, unless he willingly resigns his episcopacy..."

Fr. Arsenios explained that according to this particular canon, which has the force of an Ecumenical Council, the election and installation of a new bishop is strictly prohibited when the lawful shepherd is alive, retains his office, and has not submitted a voluntary resignation. In the case of Paphos, Metropolitan Tychikos has publicly declared that he considers his removal unlawful and lacking a clear indictment.

Criticism of Ecclesiastical Courts

Prompted by Metropolitan Tychikos' statement, in which he announced an appeal to both Cypriot and European civil courts (ECHR) to seek his rights, Fr. Arsenios exercised sharp criticism of the manner of administration of justice within ecclesiastical institutions in Greece and Cyprus.

The speaker characterized the structure of today's ecclesiastical courts as "a survival from the Middle Ages," since in the same person are combined the capacities of investigator, prosecutor, and judge, something legally inconceivable for modern civil courts. He called upon the legal community (judges and lawyers) to intervene and demand the elementary modernization of these procedures.

Other Topics of the Program

Beyond the Cypriot ecclesiastical issue, Fr. Arsenios Vliagkoftis briefly referred to two more current affairs topics:

1. The recent incident in a church of the Metropolis of Stagoi and Meteora, where, according to him, the sacred space was turned into a political panel.

2. A text by the late Father Ananias Kostenis regarding the anniversary of the Fall of Constantinople (May 29, 1453).

The program concluded with wishes for the great feast of Holy Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, with Fr. Arsenios addressing an appeal to the synodical hierarchs of Cyprus to reconsider their decision and restore ecclesiastical order.