Filenews 10 September 2021
Regarding what is happening at the meeting of the Holy Synod, Archbishop Chrysostomos referred to his intervention in the show From Day to Day of state television. He made particular reference to the issue of the coronavirus pandemic, again calling on the hierarchs to align themselves with the decisions of the synod on vaccination.
Among other things, His Beatitude referred to the two main issues that preoccupied the discussion at the summit, while he said that the synodists received a briefing on the Cyprus issue from President Anastasiades.
On the issue of the pandemic, the Archbishop stressed that there has been a good and productive discussion with the members of the Holy Synod; they are obeying the decisions of the synod. Asked to comment on the disobedience of a specific hierarch and clergy, His Beatitude made it clear that the pandemic has affected the operation of the archdiocese's hotel units, one of the main sources of funding for the clergy.
"Whoever does not comply with the decisions of the session will not receive a salary at the end of the month," his Beatitude stressed.
At the same time, he made it clear that vaccination is voluntary, but as far as the clergy and especially the hierarchs are concerned, they can maintain their views, but they cannot influence the congregation not to be vaccinated.
As far as the hierarchs are concerned, he made it clear that as far as the synodals are concerned, if there are phenomena of disobedience of hierarchs regarding the decision of the Holy Synod regarding vaccination, he will insist even on expulsion from the synod.
