June 13, 2025

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Cyprus: Metropolitan Tikhik called the pope the “representative of the forces of darkness”


Emergency meeting The Holy Synod of Cyprus announced the deprivation of the dignity Metropolitan of the Paphos Tikhik for calling the new pope of the Roman lion representative of the forces of darkness.

In the statement after the meeting, the Secretary of Archbishopiccia, Archimandrite Georgios Christodulsaid that the Extraordinary Synod chaired by the archbishop GeorgeHaving examined the charges against Metropolitan of the Paphos, “I decided that the mentioned bishop would remain bishop of the Church of Cyprus and a member of the Holy Synod“.

He also added that Tikhik “It is transferred to the church, which uses it where it considers it necessary, and he will be assigned a title and a position from the Holy Synod“.

From today, the archbishop has been assuming the duties of the Locumsteps of the Holy Metropolis Paphos“, – he added, noting that later the Holy Synod will publish a more detailed statement.

Tikhik is the youngest bishop Church of Cyprushe replaced two years ago by Archbishop George, who was previously Metropolitan Paphos.

Tikhik was harsh in his statements, in the recent of which he described the Pope as a representative of the devil, which he did not like, because, according to some, this did not contribute to “dialogue with Catholics“.

Previously, he also refused to accept the head of the apostle Paul in Paphos, as it was provided by the Pope.

Tikhik, faithful to traditions, expressed a sharp disagreement with relations Orthodox Church and the Vatican, positions that coincide with the views of other clergymen, such as Metropolitan Morf Neophytoswhich caused irritation, although he received the title “The dynamic figure of Orthodoxy“.

His direct and without embellishment of the statement of dad included criticism of papism, which he considered a source of theological and church deviations due to a historical split 1054 years.

These positions and its tough line, even in relation to those who, under the pretext of mercy, demanded the mitigation of strict and traditional Orthodox views, caused the reaction of the Archbishop of Cyprus George, who demanded from Tikhik “Changes in thinking“.

The emergency meeting of the Holy Synod today considered these issues, which led to the decision to deprive his dignity, since it was decided that his behavior and statements were damaged by the unity of the church.

Metropolitan Tikhik caused a shock in church elites when he refused to transfer the head of the apostle Paul from the Vatican to Paphos – an event that was agreed at the insistence of the former archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomasince he did not want the relic to return to the papal hands. Tikhik, however, stated that he did not accept the relic, since it was transmitted by Catholics, whom he called heretics.

This position led him to a conflict with the Archbishop of Cyprus George. The refusal to accept the chapter is directly related to criticism of Metropolitan Tikhik to the pope and Catholic Church. Tikhik called dad “heretic“And the representative of the forces of darkness.



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