The Cypriot Orthodox church is set to suspend 12 priests because they have not had their Coronavirus vaccinations. 

The leader of the Cyprus Orthodox Church has warned he may take action if they have not had their vaccine by Tuesday, February 1. 

Archbishop Chrysostomos II has enforced strict rules on vaccinations within the churches, and has now said he will “send priests home” if they continue to advocate against the jabs. 

He called the act of rebellion “unprecedented”. 

Chrysostomos has himself survived cancer – he says some priests took advantage of his ailing health and defied his strict orders. 

He was one of the first people to get jabbed in December 2020, when the Cypriot Government announced their bid to vaccinate the population. 

His latest move has been a long time coming – he warned priests last year that he would not tolerate church leaders being unvaccinated, or refusing the wear masks, unless medically exempt. 

Some leaders are believed to have encouraged their congregations not to get the jab. 

The country saw a large spike in coronavirus cases in early January, but the number of positive cases has sharply dropped in recent weeks. 

At present, travellers are able to visit Cyprus without being vaccinated. However, they will need to follow strict entry requirements before and after arriving into the country.