The protracted dispute surrounding the deposed Bishop Tychikos of Paphos has reached a critical juncture, with Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus issuing a stern ultimatum for Tychikos to vacate the bishopric flat and surrender its keys by Thursday morning. Failure to comply, the Archbishop has warned, will necessitate police intervention to formally document the contents of both the flat and Tychikos's office, underscoring the deep schism within the Church of Cyprus.
Tychikos, who was formally removed from his administrative duties in May of the previous year, has allegedly remained in occupation of the bishopric property, a situation that has evidently exhausted the patience of the ecclesiastical hierarchy. The Archbishop's directive, conveyed via a formal letter, sets a stringent deadline of 10:00 AM on Thursday for the handover of keys, with police presence scheduled for 12:00 PM to oversee the inventory of the premises should Tychikos remain recalcitrant. The deposed bishop is, however, being afforded the opportunity to be present to retrieve any personal effects.
The roots of this escalating conflict are multifaceted, extending beyond mere property occupancy. Tychikos's deposition stemmed from accusations of breaches in church protocol, including the contentious display of an uncanonized icon. Furthermore, a significant clash occurred previously regarding the handling of a relic of Saint Paul's skull, with Tychikos reportedly expressing strong reservations about its transfer to Cyprus and making controversial remarks about Pope Francis. These actions, coupled with his alleged obstruction of municipal communication and legal challenges against the Paphos municipality, led the local mayor to publicly describe his conduct as "trying and unbecoming."
Despite an unsuccessful appeal against his removal from office, Tychikos has maintained his refusal to vacate the bishopric residence. This stance has been further complicated by claims from Tychikos's legal counsel on Tuesday afternoon, asserting that the office and keys had already been relinquished. This assertion appears to have been the catalyst for the Archbishop's latest, decisive action. Christakis Efstathiou, spokesperson for the Archbishopric of Cyprus, articulated the rationale behind the firm stance, stating that "patience and tolerance have been exhausted... and the glass overflowed with the letter from the legal advisor of former bishop Tychikos, who claims that the former bishop does not reside in the Metropolis but in a small room in the garden."
The Holy Synod had previously voted to uphold Tychikos's deposition from administrative roles, a decision that saw him retain his titular bishopric status but stripped of his executive functions. However, the ongoing refusal to cede the bishopric property has transformed a disciplinary matter into a potential legal confrontation. The involvement of the police signifies a significant escalation, moving the dispute from internal church affairs into the public domain and raising questions about the efficacy of ecclesiastical governance when faced with intransigence. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, a significant religious authority, has also been a point of reference in the broader context of the Church of Cyprus's affairs, though its direct involvement in this specific property dispute remains unclear. The impending police entry into the bishopric flat and office promises to bring a definitive, albeit potentially acrimonious, conclusion to this protracted ecclesiastical imbroglio.