Archbishop Georgios arrived at the Holy Metropolis of Paphos early Friday morning, while a group of faithful continued their protest outside the building in support of former Metropolitan Tyxikos.
Accompanying the Archbishop were close associates from the Archdiocese. In statements to reporters, Archbishop Georgios, who also serves as locum tenens of the Metropolis of Paphos, said he came primarily to handle urgent administrative matters- signing documents and overseeing affairs- before addressing the broader challenges facing the Metropolis.
He added that certain committees and individuals might wish to meet him, just as they did when he previously served as Metropolitan of Paphos.
The Archbishop stated that he intended to meet with Tychikos and had called him before arriving, but received no answer. “He may be away from the Metropolis,” he said. “I’m waiting for him, though- I told him I’ll be here until midday. We’ll see what his position is regarding the conditions set by the Holy Synod for him to remain a bishop.”
When asked about the meaning of the libellos– the declaration required from Tyxikos- the Archbishop explained that in ecclesiastical terms, it refers to a profession of faith. “It means affirming the decisions of the Ecumenical Councils, the Orthodox Church, and the Holy Synod of Cyprus, including the Great Council of Crete in 2016. It’s a clear repudiation of the so-called ‘wallers’ [schismatics].”
If a meeting with Tyxikos does not take place today, the Archbishop said efforts will be made to arrange it tomorrow or the next day. If Tyxikos refuses to sign the libellos, the matter will return to the Synod.
“The Holy Synod made it a condition for him to remain a bishop,” he emphasised. “When the Synod sets terms, it means they intend to move forward.”
Commenting on the protests, Archbishop Georgios downplayed them, saying he hadn’t seen any significant opposition or participation from people who supported Tychikos in the elections. “Those outside aren’t his real backers,” he said. “They admitted on live TV they didn’t vote for him, they just want disruption.”
He added that the Synod’s decision was both lawful and orderly. “The indictment was being prepared for three months, and Tychikos was fully aware. He even said he accepted it- then kept acting the same way. All the evidence was presented clearly.”
The Archbishop clarified that the Synod has the right, under the Church’s charter, to act as a tribunal, presided over by the Archbishop and 12 members. As such, the process was valid. The only path of appeal now would be to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, he said, as the Holy Synod functions as Cyprus’s supreme ecclesiastical court.
If Tychikos accepts the conditions, he will be given a new role and title. “I propose he join the Archdiocese,” the Archbishop said. “There’s a ready apartment and office. We don’t want to exclude him — we want to help him break free from the influences around him.”
Asked whether Tychikos could one day pursue a similar role again, the Archbishop said that would be up to the Holy Synod. “If they allow him to stand again, then he can.”
As for the demonstration in support of Tychikos, Archbishop Georgios said he had already asked some of the organisers to come speak with him.
Regarding the priest ordained by Tychikos, the Archbishop stated that he would be suspended and could no longer serve in the Paphos Metropolis. “He will not perform sacraments until his case is reviewed by the six-member court,” he clarified, emphasising that this court deals with lower clergy, not bishops, which is why Tychikos is not subject to it.
Also read: Church crisis deepens after Tychikos removal
