Nicosia, Cyprus, April 4, 2023
Photo: immorfou.org.cy
His Eminence Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus is the latest in a line of hierarchs who have been acquitted of charges related to violating COVID restrictions.
The outspoken hierarch was acquitted of all charges by the District Court of Nicosia yesterday, April 4, in particular that he incited the faithful to commit criminal offenses by participating in public assemblies, reports the Metropolis of Morphou.
Although hundreds gathered with His Eminence for the blessing of the Karkotis River on the feast of Theophany in 2021, the Court ruled that this was permitted according to the regulations in force at that time. Met. Neophytos was issued a fine on the day of the “incident,” but he refused to pay it.
The Metropolis comments:
Therefore, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Morphou wishes to send thanks from the bottom of his soul to the Triune God, the Most Holy Theotokos, St. Auxibius I Bishop of Solon, the patron saint of our Metropolis St. Mama, and also to the fathers St. Iakovos (Tsalikis), St. Eumenius the Leper, St. Paisios the Athonite, St. Nikephoros the Leper, St. Philoumenos of Orounta, and St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia for the support and protection they provided to us throughout our ordeal.
He also wants to express his thanks to [his lawyer] Mr. N. Klirides and to the clergy and the faithful people of Cyprus and Greece, but also to the Orthodox everywhere, for their prayers and the many electronic and written messages and letters of support sent to us.
We will continue to minister and confess the truth of Christ and the Church.
Met. Neophytos was also under investigation in 2020 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 October 2020, His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu and in November 2022, His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira, both of the Church of Greece, were acquitted of all charges related to celebrating the services during the lockdown.
In February 2023, His Eminence Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro of the Seerbian Orthodox Church and eight priests from Nikšić were also acquitted of COVID-related charges from 2020.
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