The ordination of the new Metropolitan of Paphos took place amid protests
Believers stated that the church charter was violated and the opinion of the Orthodox community was ignored.
On June 11, 2026, in the Cathedral of the Apostle Barnabas in Nicosia, Archbishop of Cyprus George performed the ordination of the new Metropolitan of Paphos Gregory Ioannidis. Despite the official nature of the celebration, the event was marred by protests by believers at the southern entrance to the church. This is reported by local media.
The believers publicly expressed disagreement with the Synod's decision and interrupted the service with shouts of "Unworthy." Tension arose between the ceremony participants and the dissatisfied, after which the protesters left the cathedral. Supporters of Bishop Tikhik accused the leadership of the Cypriot Church of deliberately violating the procedures for selecting a hierarch and ignoring the will of the people.
According to the believers, the authorities did not hear numerous complaints and imposed a candidate on the community who contributes to strengthening Catholic influence. The protest participants emphasized that Metropolitan Tikhik remains faithful to traditions and, unlike supporters of the new line, did not recognize the decisions of the Council of Crete.
"With this ordination, the Vatican has become much closer to us," declared the believers of Paphos. "It is now easier for Rome to control us and place their people in the most important see of the island." The believers also noted that Metropolitan Tikhik, unlike the new appointees, did not perform secret mixed marriages and strictly adheres to canonical norms. The protesters demanded an immediate return to observance of church statute and legality.
Archbishop of Cyprus George in his speech attempted to justify the choice of hierarchs, addressing Gregory Ioannidis with wishes. "We must defend the course of struggle and liberation, which both justice and our historical roots demand."
The Archbishop called on the new metropolitan to avoid national humiliation and declare to the whole world that there is no place for further concessions in the Cyprus question. "You will be accompanied by the prayers of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew," concluded the head of the Cypriot Church.
As SPJ reported, Metropolitan Tikhik was evicted from the building of the Metropolis of Paphos.
