Coronavirus: Anti Covid vaccine bishop tests positive (update 2)

Morphou Bishop Neophytos has tested positive for the coronavirus but is so far experiencing mild symptoms and is being treated by doctors he “trusts” it was announced on Wednesday.

In a written statement, the Bishopric said Neophytos had tested positive after experiencing mild symptoms.

“His Holiness is receiving treatment from doctors he trusts and will remain in his cell until August 28, 2021,” a written statement said.

On that day, the bishop plans to preside over a service to mark the beheading of John the Baptist that will be held at the village of Prodromos.

The statement stressed that Neophytos will not be receiving any visits, nor will he be answering phone calls during this time.

“We also remind that he has not been vaccinated nor will he vaccinate with Covid-19 vaccines.”

Meanwhile at the small village of Tris Elies, where Neophytos held a service on Sunday, residents said they heard the news on the radio.

No cases have been reported so far. The service was attended by some 120 people inside the church and others outside.

The community council also organised a lunch in his honour, which was attended by around 30 people.

Neophytos  has repeatedly expressed opposition to the vaccine, despite the Holy Synod encouraging the faithful to get inoculated. He said he would not get the jab, because he did not want to become like a genetically modified product.

“I will not become a mutated product of the new order of things, just like the tomatoes we eat year-round and which and are sick and tasteless. That is how the world will become, sick and tasteless,” the bishop said last December.

The bishop was also accused of breaking measures against the spread of coronavirus by encouraging his congregation to attend church services when they were banned and refused to pay a fine imposed on him for his actions.