Former Bishop of Paphos Tychikos has begun the process of appealing the Holy Synod’s decision to depose him, triggering the archbishopric’s obligation to refer the matter to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, it was announced on Thursday.
According to archbishopric spokesman Christakis Efstathiou, a letter from Tychikos’ Greek legal team was received on Thursday informing the Holy Synod of the appeal.
This appeal constitutes the highest legal recourse available under the Church’s constitution.
Efstathiou said that the appeal does not provide for Tychikos’ immediate reinstatement. As such, Archbishop Georgios will continue to serve as acting bishop of Paphos until a final ruling is issued.
With the case pending, no election for a new bishop can be held. Should the appeal succeed, Tychikos will be reinstated.
In May, the Holy Synod voted to confirm Tychikos’ removal from office over a series of alleged breaches of Church protocol, including his veneration of an icon depicting a saint not officially recognised by the Church.
On May 30, Archbishop Georgios called on Tychikos to sign a declaration of faith renouncing those who have distanced themselves from the Church.
By filing his appeal, Tychikos signalled that he would not be signing the declaration.
Tensions between Georgios and Tychikos had been ongoing, notably 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 previously issued multiple warnings to Tychikos regarding 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.
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