Nicosia, Jan. 31 (BNA): The head of the Orthodox Christian Church in Cyprus said he will suspend dozens of priests from his diocese because they refused to heed his call for COVID-19 vaccination.
Archbishop Christostomus II told state broadcaster CyBC that most of the priests are also clergy who have pushed some believers not to be vaccinated.
The archbishop called the disobedience “unheard of” and warned that the suspension could extend to six months or lead to priests being stripped of their lead, The Associated Press reports.
He noted that some unvaccinated priests might be emboldened to defy him due to his poor health.
Archbishop Chrysostomos was outspoken in his support for vaccinations for all believers and the Church’s highest decision-making body, the Holy Synod, issued a clear appeal in favor of vaccination.
COVID-19 infections in Cyprus have declined in recent weeks, but they remain high. The number of coronavirus patients in hospitals remains high as well, but health authorities say the system is coping.
January marked the second highest number of virus-related deaths per month in Cyprus since the start of the pandemic.