Philenews

Lawyer of Former Bishop of Tychikos: Living in a Small Room and Salary Cut Without Statutory Basis

Published January 28, 2026, 12:20
Lawyer of Former Bishop of Tychikos: Living in a Small Room and Salary Cut Without Statutory Basis

The lawyer of the suspended Bishop of Tychikos, Irinaios Antonios Yakoumakis, stated that the Bishop is currently residing in a small room on the grounds of the Paphos Metropolis, as he has no other private residence. Mr. Yakoumakis emphasized that Bishop Tychikos has ceded all Metropolis premises to the Locum Tenens. Furthermore, he denounced a 55% reduction in the Bishop's salary without legal justification, meaning no corresponding provision in the Statutory Charter of the Church of Cyprus. The lawyers of Tychikos are awaiting the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on their second appeal, which concerns the decision to suspend the Bishop. Mr. Yakoumakis stated that the Bishop trusts the judgment of the Patriarch and that concessions have already been made and the confession requested by the Holy Synod has been submitted. Bishop Tychikos was previously in Greece for health reasons and has since returned to Cyprus. During his absence, the Locum Tenens assumed the current affairs of the Metropolis, without elections being held to appoint a new Bishop. The purpose of the appeal, according to the lawyer, is to ensure the prestige of the Church and adherence to the Statutory Charter. The case is pending and the decision of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is awaited.