Former bishop Tychikos has been indefinitely suspended by the Holy Synod following his decision to appeal to the civil courts over his removal from the Paphos bishopric.

The Holy Synod convened on Thursday under Archbishop Georgios, in what turned out to be a lengthy session, during which it decided, by a vote of 11 in favour and five against to suspend Tychikos until he accepted the conditions set for him.

The decision was announced by Holy Synod chief secretary archimandrite George Christodoulou.

Those who opposed the decision included Bishop Athanasios of Limassol as well as Bishop Neophytos of Morphou.

The Holy Synod will be convening again on January 14 to discuss other issues on the agenda.

Bishop Tychikos was removed from the Paphos bishopric at an emergency synod session in May 2025, following a series of disputes with Archbishop Georgios over matters of church protocol.

The Holy Synod stated that it thoroughly examined the case, taking into account his refusal to comply and his continued disregard of repeated calls by the Patriarch to do so.

The Synod also examined what it described as unacceptable actions from the perspective of ecclesiastical morality, particularly his recourse to the civil courts, which it said amounts to apostasy.

The statement further referred to the unrest caused by Tychikos’ public statements and by the activity of his supporters which it described as ‘zealots’.

It further examined his conduct towards fellow bishops, alleging that he attempted to create divisions by addressing differently those who supported him and those who advocated his demotion.

According to the decision, the suspension will remain in force until Tychikos withdraws his appeal to the civil courts and ceases actions that, in the Synod’s view, cause disturbance and scandal within the institution.