Coronavirus: Getting jab, Archbishop calls on people not to mix religion and science

Religion and science should be kept separate, Archbishop Chrysostomos said on Tuesday as he got a booster shot, and called on everyone to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

The archbishop was speaking after he received the third jab at around 1pm at the state fair in Nicosia in the presence of Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas. He was administered the vaccine by health ministry permanent secretary Christina Yiannaki.

Citing Apostle Paul, the archbishop said “the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” and whoever does not take care of their body will be punished by God.

Hence, someone who does not try to avoid being infected will get infected and transmit the disease to others, “so it is imperative that all people, young and old, get the vaccine”.

Those who confuse religion with the science of medicine “make a mistake”, the archbishop explained, citing the scripture again.

He added that sometimes people say things claiming that saints or other holy people said them, but “these are their own words and they should not dupe people”.

The health minister agreed with the archbishop and reiterated a call to the public to receive the vaccine as the “only means” to get over the pandemic.

Saying that “there are enough vaccines for everyone”, the minister said “whoever did not receive the first dose should come to the walk-in centres to get vaccinated as well as those eligible for the third dose”.

On Saturday, a mobile vaccination unit will operate in Palaichori, to “give the opportunity to the elderly who cannot come to Nicosia to be vaccinated,” Hadjipantelas said.

A mass vaccination is also planned in a shopping centre for November 20, while the possibility of carrying out vaccinations at schools is also under consideration, the minister added.