Greek Prosecutor to investigate case of Athonites opposing vaccinations

Monks could be tried for speaking out against vaccines. Photo: vimaorthodoxias.gr

The Prosecutor's Office of Thessaloniki has initiated a case against the monks of Mount Athos who oppose vaccinations against coronavirus, reports Vima Orthodoxias.

The intervention of the Prosecutor's Office of Thessaloniki was caused by the statements of the Athos monk Joseph, who reported about the monks urging Christians not to be vaccinated.

According to the hieromonk, “these monks who go out and confess have killed many people,” as they “advise people not to get vaccinated and claim that the coronavirus is just a flu”.

Based on these allegations, the head of the Prosecutor's Office of Thessaloniki initiated an investigation to identify the anti-vaccination monks and determine whether their actions constituted a crime.

It should be noted that in the course of the investigation, the applicant, hieromonk Joseph, will be asked to name specific individuals and indicate when and what they said in order to open a criminal investigation against them.

Earlier, the Greek media reported about the position of famous Athonites regarding vaccinations.

Read also

Metropolitan Longin Alleges Assassination Plot Against Him

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

Archbishop of Cyprus: Decision on Metropolitan Tychikos’ Appeal Expected in August

Hierarch retains presumption of innocence amid ongoing review by Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Holy Cross Seminarians Conclude Pilgrimage with Spiritual Encounters in Thessaloniki and Mount Athos

Students reflect on ministry and heritage during the final days of the transformative journey.

Estonian Government Passes New Law Against Orthodox Church

New legislation would force the Estonian Orthodox Church to cut its ties with the Moscow Patriarchate. This is depsite the fact that the Estonian Church has been autonomous since 1993.

Over 100 Souls Received Into the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa

The Russian Orthodox Church's missionary efforts bear fruit in Zambia and Cameroon.

OCU and Uniates Conduct Joint Consecration for Military Church Construction

"Hierarchs" Dumenko and Greek-Catholic Chaplains Conduct Joint Rite