Morphou, Cyprus, January 27, 2021
Photo: cyprustimes.com
His Eminence Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus once again finds himself involved in an investigation by the authorities, this time in connection with the celebration of the Divine services on the feast of Theophany on January 6.
In particular, the investigation concerns the Liturgy and Blessing of the Waters served at the Church of St. Marina in the village of Evrychou, reports the Cyprus Times.
Under investigation is the parish rector, who allowed more than 75 people into the church, despite the limit set by Cypriot authorities. The government announced in December that it would relax its strict quarantine for the feasts of Nativity and Theophany, allowing up to 75 parishioners at each service.
The clergy and parishioners are also accused of non-compliance with sanitary measures and not wearing masks. Ten people, including the priest, were issued fines after police showed up at the church.
“I can’t forget the Great Blessing of the Waters, nor do it behind closed doors, phobically,” Met. Neophtyos earlier explained, adding that he can’t people out. “Some came with masks. I will not persecute them; I will not offend them. Most came without masks.”
It is specified that there is no criminal case against Met. Neophytos, but rather on the rector of the church in question. The Metropolitan will, however, be questioned as a participant in the service.
The Cyprus Times reports that the police, in consultation with the Attorney General, have received a large number of testimonies from persons who participated in the service. The Metropolitan is expected to testify in the next few days, after which the relevant case file will be forwarded to the Attorney General.
In mid-December, Met. Neophytos explained that he would not accept the state’s order to close churches, as the Law of God is above the law of man.
He was under investigation last year after police interrupted his Palm Sunday Divine Liturgy. However, the Attorney General later determined that he had not violated any quarantine measures by celebrating the service.
In September 2019, Met. Neophytos was also cleared of all charges of hate speech arising after a video surfaced in which he told the story of a young man who gave up his sinful, homosexual lifestyle after being rebuked by a monk to whom God revealed the man’s sin.
His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira of the Church of Greece also came under fire earlier this month for his statements about the COVID vaccine.
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