Archbishop Georgios gives Tychikos 10 days to meet him before Synod revisits case

Tala, Cyprus. Archbishop Georgios has told former Bishop of Paphos Tychikos he has 10 days to meet him before the Synod reconvenes to examine his case, stressing that the Church cannot let the matter continue indefinitely.

Remarks after memorial service

Georgios spoke on Sunday following a memorial service for the late Archbishop Chrysostomos II in the archbishop’s home village of Tala. He said he was still waiting for Tychikos to act on his own request for a meeting.

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The archbishop stated that even a bishop who has been suspended from duties remains answerable to the Synod. In his view, such a bishop cannot move around Cyprus and Greece freely without being accountable to anyone.

Background to the delay

The Synod did not discuss the case at its previous session, because Tychikos had first asked to meet the archbishop in person. According to Georgios, Tychikos sent a letter via representatives shortly before that session.

Georgios said he agreed to the request hoping to settle the dispute. However, he said Tychikos seemed unwilling to attend after the archbishop’s office conveyed the reply.

Possible outcome

Asked what would happen if Tychikos kept delaying after the next Synod meeting, Georgios replied that any final decision would be made collectively by the Synod rather than by him alone.

He listed several matters Tychikos must address first. These are renouncing views he appeared to hold that the Ecumenical Patriarch is heretical, dealing with his rejection of the Council of Crete, and responding to allegations of financial irregularities at the Paphos bishopric.

The archbishop said Tychikos would have a place at the Holy Archbishopric if he met those conditions.

Letter to priests

Georgios also commented on a letter sent to priests about the stance they should adopt towards the Church of Cyprus. He dismissed the possibility of a separate church on the island.