Apostolos Tomaras
Archbishop Georgios has sent a strong signal to members of the Holy Synod who act outside the bounds of the Church of Cyprus. The synod’s majority decision to suspend Bishop Tychikos of Paphos from his administrative duties marks a new chapter aimed at stamping out similar behavior within the church hierarchy.
What this decision revealed is the firm leadership Archbishop Georgios now holds within the Synod. Faced with complaints about how Tychikos was handling his administrative role, the archbishop took the extreme step of calling for his suspension. For now, Tychikos will remain a bishop without a diocese. The synod will decide later what his role will be.
What led to the decision
Church insiders hadn’t expected things to go this far. Ahead of the emergency synod meeting, most thought the archbishop was simply trying to rein in a wayward bishop—not create a serious rift. But the fallout between Georgios and Tychikos was well-known in both Nicosia and Paphos. Tychikos had displayed unexpected and defiant behavior toward the Archbishop, something that deeply upset Georgios, especially since he had once been one of Tychikos' biggest supporters—first appointing him as a close aide and later backing him for bishop.
Tychikos’ refusal to follow the Synod majority on the issue of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church caused serious tensions. He declined to commemorate the Ukrainian Metropolitan Epiphanius, who is recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This created friction between the Church of Cyprus and the Patriarchate. Things got worse when Tychikos refused to welcome the relic of Apostle Paul to Paphos—something late Archbishop Chrysostomos II had requested from the Vatican.
There were also ongoing complaints about his daily leadership in Paphos. Taken together, these issues pushed Archbishop Georgios to act in order to protect the reputation of both the Paphos bishopric and the Church of Cyprus as a whole.
What the Synod announced
On May 22, 2025, the Holy Synod held an emergency meeting under Archbishop Georgios to discuss complaints against Bishop Tychikos.
The archbishop presented detailed evidence to the synod, which met in a judicial capacity under the church’s charter. The complaints had already been raised in previous meetings, where Tychikos was warned to align with Church rules and Synod decisions. However, he continued his behavior unchanged.
The key issues were
- Ordaining a controversial clergyman: Tychikos ordained a priest who is part of a breakaway group in Thessaloniki and sent him back there, where he still actively participates in unofficial religious gatherings. Tychikos allegedly covered this up.
- Refusing mixed marriages and baptisms: He consistently refused to officiate mixed-faith weddings or accept baptisms and certificates from other recognized Orthodox churches.
- Dedicating a chapel inappropriately: He inaugurated a chapel in the name of a cleric who is not officially recognized as a saint by the Orthodox Church—and whose sainthood is not even under consideration.
The Synod also looked into secondary issues that had stirred division among believers in the Paphos diocese, often making headlines for the wrong reasons.
These matters raised broader concerns about unity in the Orthodox Church and the Church of Cyprus’ ties with other Orthodox and Christian churches.
The Archbishop also received complaints and concerns from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Church of Greece, Metropolitan Barnabas of Neapolis, and even the Greek Government—both during a recent ministerial visit to Cyprus and through official correspondence. The Greek government also lodged concerns with Cyprus’ ambassador in Athens, who relayed them to the Cypriot authorities.
After a full discussion and a chance for Tychikos to respond—which the Synod found inadequate—it concluded that there were serious failings in his leadership. By majority vote, the synod decided:
Tychikos is relieved of his current post but will remain a bishop and member of the Synod. He must submit a written statement of faith condemning church division. He will eventually be assigned a new title and role.
As of today, Archbishop Georgios assumes temporary leadership of the Paphos bishopric.
*This article was translated from its Greek original
