Greek hierarch – to 35 clerics: Either get vaccinated or you’re banned

Metropolitan Jacob. Photo: orthodoxia.info

Metropolitan Jacob of Mytilene of the Greek Orthodox Church warned 35 priests of his diocese they will be suspended from worship unless they are vaccinated, Orthodoxia.info reports.

In a circular sent to each of the 35 priests of the diocese opposing the Covid-19 vaccination, Metropolitan Jacob wrote that “if you are not vaccinated against the coronavirus within one week, you will be granted unpaid leave until you have been vaccinated."

According to Orthodoxoxia.info, the "anger" of the metropolitan, who is considered one of the most moderate in the Church of Greece, was caused by one of the priests of the Mytilene diocese, who participated in the celebrations on the day of remembrance of St. Demetrius, as a result of which the virus was transmitted to many people."

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the hierarch of Greece banned 14 unvaccinated priests from the ministry.

Read also

Myltsi Monastery shows pictures of shrine's revival from ruins

Archive footage of the St. Nicholas Monastery in Myltsi dated 1994 and modern photos of the revived monastery have been published online.

Embassy of Ukraine holds "prayer for Ukraine" at Weiling Wall in Jerusalem

The Ukrainian Embassy performed a ceremony at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.

Founder of children's shelter in Athens asks for help to avoid prison

The Athens Court of Appeals sentenced the head of the Greek foundation to 9.5 years in prison with the right of redemption. 

In Butove, OCU supporters hold meeting on UOC parish "transfer"

In the House of Culture, residents of the village of Butove, Rivne region, decided the fate of St. John's Church of the UOC.

His Beatitude reads first part of Great Penitential Canon at Lavra

Metropolitan Onuphry led the Great Compline at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, with the reading of the Great Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete.

Orthodox youth meetings held in deaneries of UOC's Rivne Eparchy

Spiritual and educational events ahead of Great Lent were held in the deaneries of the Rivne Eparchy with the participation of clergy and Orthodox youth.