DECR MP appeals to the "collective mind" of Russians in view of vaccination

Metropolitan Hilarion. Photo: pravmir.ru

In matters of vaccination, one must "appeal to the collective mind", says the head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk. The hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church said this in the Church and Peace program on Saturday, October 16.

He criticized the position of people who do not take advantage of the free vaccination and "discourage others".

“I think this is the situation where we have to appeal to some kind of collective intelligence. And I always tell those people who do not want to be vaccinated: if you do not want to do this for yourself, you should do it at least for others,” said Metropolitan Hilarion.

He is convinced that “now we know how to deal with it (coronavirus – Ed.). We have a vaccine ... that protects 90%, 96%, 99%." The bishop also said that the talk that the vaccine may be hazardous to health or does not protect against coronavirus is a myth. Earlier, the head of the DECR MP said that Instagram blocked his account after posts in support of vaccination and comparing the refusal to be vaccinated with the sin of murder.

Read also

Church of Cyprus Defrocks Priest Amid Mounting Ecclesiastical Tensions

Fr. Dimos Serkelidis removed from clerical office following Synodal Court decision; controversy grows over internal Church governance

OCU Holds Service in Seized Cherkasy Church—But Nobody Came

Photos reveal nearly deserted worship in St. Andrew’s Church after its seizure from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC)

Romanian Orthodox Hierarchs Propose Five Women for Canonization

Canonization effort highlights upcoming Commemorative Year of Holy Women in 2026.

St. Olga of Alaska Officially Glorified in Her Hometown of Kwethluk

First North American female saint honored in historic vigil attended by hundreds of pilgrims and hierarchs.

Pro-Constantinople Outlet Reports on Violent Cathedral Seizure in Chernivtsi

An article from the Orthodox Times highlights rising attacks against UOC faithful and clergy amid escalating church property disputes.

Metropolitan Longin Alleges Assassination Plot Against Him

Bancheny hierarch claims a group from Ivano-Frankivsk was sent to kill him.