Archbishop of Cyprus Georgios has called on former Bishop of Paphos, Tychikos, to sign a declaration of faith renouncing those who have distanced themselves from the Church.

Speaking after a meeting with Tychikos on Friday, Georgios said the deposed bishop could choose to sign or not sign the declaration, but if he refused, the Holy Synod would reexamine the matter. Georgios attended the meeting in his capacity as acting Bishop of Paphos.

He told Tychikos he expected him to comply with the terms set by the Holy Synod and sign the declaration, which Georgios described as a “compassionate” proposal by the Church.

According to the archbishop, Tychikos was preparing a draft declaration, taking into consideration guidelines provided by Georgios. “I explained that I want him to state that he accepts the decisions of the ecumenical and local synods, which are recognised by the Orthodox Church, including the major synod held in Crete in 2016, as well as the decisions of our local synod,” Georgios said.

Tychikos was given a few days to respond, with Georgios noting that he would return to Paphos next week. “I expect a free person to freely choose whatever he wants,” the archbishop added.

If Tychikos signs the declaration, the matter will proceed to the next stage. “Let us move slowly,” Georgios said. If he does not sign, the Holy Synod will reconvene to assess the situation under the new circumstances.

Georgios also met with Tychikos’ supporters to explain the reasons behind the bishop’s removal and outline what steps the Church expects for him to be considered for a new title.

Supporters requested that Tychikos be given the opportunity to address the accusations against him before the Holy Synod. They also pledged to continue their struggle for vindication.

In a letter read at a protest on Sunday, Tychikos’ supporters argued that he had been treated unfairly by church authorities, claiming the decision against him was hasty and disregarded his positive contributions to the community.

Last week various parties had countered the idea that the bishop’s removal had been sudden, including Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos, who said issues with the former bishop’s behaviour had been longstanding and complaints against him had been mounting both from within and without his congregation.

Georgios noted that Tychikos was aware of the indictment against him and had accepted it. He emphasised that the Holy Synod had acted as a tribunal in the case and that a review of its decision was not possible.

However, the Synod proposed that Tychikos be transferred to the archbishopric.

Last week, the Holy Synod had voted to ratify Tychikos’ removal from his official position after he was charged with various breaches of church protocol, including the veneration of an icon depicting a saint not recognised by the Church.

“The Holy Synod decided that the aforementioned hierarchy shall remain a bishop of the Church of Cyprus and a member of the Holy Synod,” understood to mean he may retain the title, but has been relieved of his administrative duties.

Procedures for electing a new Bishop of Paphos have yet to begin, with Georgios serving as acting administrator of the bishopric.

Georgios and Tychikos had previously clashed, particularly over Tychikos’ refusal to allow the relic of Apostle Paul’s skull to be brought from the Vatican to Cyprus on the grounds that the Pope is a ‘heretic.’ The archbishop had issued repeated warnings to Tychikos about his conduct.

Six bishops – out of twelve members plus the archbishop – supported Tychikos, including Morphou Bishop Neophytos and Arsinoe Bishop Pangratios, along with the Limassol bishops’ group, which is made up of four clerics.