Alpha News

Holy Synod and Tychikos: Disobedience, Penalties, and Crucial Decisions

Published January 8, 2026, 11:29

The case of the former Metropolitan of Paphos, Tychikos, is at a critical juncture, with the Holy Synod being called upon to make decisions with significant canonical and theological implications. Theologian Yannis Antoniadis stated that Tychikos could have attended the Synod meeting, but did not submit a confession of faith as requested. Tychikos's non-compliance with the decisions of the Holy Synod and the Ecumenical Patriarchate is characterized as disobedience. Mr. Antoniadis criticized Tychikos's recourse to civil courts, considering it pointless, as internal ecclesiastical matters do not fall within their jurisdiction. The Holy Synod has two main options: to maintain the existing situation or to impose a penalty for disobedience. Possible penalties include suspension (suspension of duties) or, as a last resort, excommunication. Each penalty has an educational purpose and aims to maintain the unity of the Church. Finally, the proposal to change the constitutional charter of the Church was discussed, so that the election of Metropolitans and Bishops is done exclusively by the Holy Synod. To approve the change, a three-quarters majority of the synodal members is required, a practice already applied in many Orthodox Churches.