His Eminence Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos, condemned without the prescribed canonical legal procedure

The Metropolitan of Kythira & Antikythira Seraphim

To

His Eminence Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos, condemned without the prescribed canonical legal procedure

"Struggle unto death for the truth and the Lord our God will fight for you" (Wisdom of Sirach)

Your Eminence and most beloved holy Brother,

Bless:

Days ago, while "ascending to Jerusalem" (i.e., Constantinople), you sent me a message requesting prayers from my humility. I prayed wholeheartedly, have prayed, and continue to pray for Your Eminence in your difficult circumstances.

On Friday, October 17, 2025, the day of your appearance before the Patriarchal Holy Synod for the hearing of your appeal, we celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Monastery of the Holy Unmercenaries of Kythira, with two Abbot Pilgrims concelebrating (one with his three-member entourage), for the success of your purpose and the resolution of your ordeal. We had hope and expectation that the Ecumenical Patriarch with his Patriarchal Holy Synod, carefully examining your case and "having ascertained, according to the Synodal announcement, omissions in the adjudication of the case of Metropolitan Tychikos by the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus regarding the provisions of its Charter," would return the relevant file to the Autocephalous Church of Cyprus for re-examination with strict observance of canonical provisions and procedural terms of the Cypriot Church's Charter. Because, according to reliable information, these are not simple and insignificant omissions, but rather a disregard of the procedures defined by the Charter.

We were deeply saddened because, while "omissions were ascertained regarding the provisions of the Church of Cyprus's Charter," "the members of the Holy and Sacred Synod, judging on the merits, unanimously ratified the synodal decision of the Most Holy Church of Cyprus."

This raises the question: when a case is not adjudicated lawfully and canonically, and all its aspects are not illuminated, how can it be judged justly and completely, based on truth and justice, and "on the merits"? Will such a decision, thus taken, contribute to the pacification of God's people and the unity of the Christ-named Pleroma of the Church?

Your Eminence, holy Brother,

In our more than twenty (20) centuries of Church History, we have unjust trials. Indicatively we mention:

1. The unjust trial and condemnation of our Savior Jesus Christ.

2. The unjust trials and condemnations of Athanasius the Great (exiled five times for 16 years).

3. The unjust trial and condemnation of Saint John Chrysostom.

4. The condemnation and 30-year exile without trial of Saint Nektarios, Bishop of Pentapolis, full of grace.

5. The condemnation without trial or defense of three late Metropolitans of the Church of Cyprus under Archbishop Makarios (Gennadios of Paphos, Anthimos of Kition, and Cyprianos of Kyrenia), and

6. The condemnation without trial or defense of 12 Metropolitans of the Church of Greece (in 1974, 9 days before the Turkish invasion of our Cyprus).

Your Eminence,

Adhering unwaveringly "to the Holy and blameless Faith of the pious and Orthodox Christians," the Tradition of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and the Divine and Sacred Canons of Orthodoxy, and reaffirming the Confession of Faith we gave at our episcopal ordination: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord" (Prophet-King David).

I pray from my heart that the All-Holy Spirit may illumine "the mind, soul and heart" of the fellow bishops of the Cypriot Church and that they give a "philanthropic vote." However, if the All-Holy God permits a trial similar to the above cases, be assured that "sooner or later" (late or early) "heaven will speak," as the modern much-suffering Saint of our Church, Metropolitan Kallinikos of Edessa, Pella and Almopia (August 1984), said with certainty—that is, the Lord will vindicate you.

"Stand firm, holy Brother, like an anvil being struck. It is characteristic of a great athlete to be beaten and to conquer" (Saint Ignatius the God-bearer to Saint Polycarp of Smyrna).

Your Brother

+Seraphim of Kythira & Antikythira

October 21, 2025

P.S. This letter is posted on the website of our Holy Metropolis of Kythira & Antikythira for the information of Christians of our flock seeking relevant information.

--- 

This letter expresses solidarity with Metropolitan Tychikos and questions the procedural validity of his condemnation, drawing parallels with historical cases of unjust ecclesiastical trials.