The leader of the Orthodox Christian Church of Cyprus announced that he will suspend 12 priests from his diocese for ignoring the order to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Archbishop Chrysostom II told the CyBC station that most of the priests in question are also theologians who have pressured some of the faithful to reject the vaccine.
The archbishop called the insubordination “unprecedented” and warned that the suspension could reach up to six months and even end with removal.
He suggested that some of the priests are challenging him because he is in poor health.
Archbishop Crisostomo has been a strong supporter of vaccinations. The highest body of the local Church, the Holy Synod, has issued clear statements in favor of vaccination.
COVID-19 cases have leveled off in Cyprus in recent weeks, but remain high. The number of people hospitalized remains high, but health authorities insist that the system is dealing with the crisis.
January saw the second highest number of COVID-19 deaths in Cyprus since the start of the pandemic.
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