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Former Bishop of Paphos to Take Case to European Court

Published January 13, 2026, 12:11
Former Bishop of Paphos to Take Case to European Court

Former Bishop of Paphos, Tychikos, is considering appealing to the European Court regarding his removal from office. The Holy Synod is calling on him to implement its decisions, while the Ecumenical Patriarchate has advised him to follow these decisions for his own spiritual good and the unity of the Church. It is believed that an appeal to the European Court would burden Tychikos himself, as there is a precedent from a previous case of a clergyman in civil courts. The Holy Synod is asking Tychikos to submit a confession of faith, declaring obedience to all Holy Synods from 49 AD to 2016. Such a confession has not yet been submitted, and there is debate as to whether the process being followed is the same as in other cases. Tychikos is accused of “war against God”, a crime punishable by death in Iran.