The Agriculture Ministry has launched a full investigation after priests from the True Orthodox Christians Church — known as Old Calendarists — entered livestock units in Aradippou in breach of strict biosecurity restrictions imposed because of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
The Agriculture Minister has ordered the Veterinary Services to investigate how the Metropolitan of Kition of the Old Calendarists, Gerasimos, and his entourage gained access to the farms.
Investigators are focused on three questions: how biosecurity checks at farm entrances were bypassed; whether farm owners who allowed the visit bear legal responsibility; and whether the virus could have been carried into or between farms via the priests’ robes and religious objects used during the blessing ceremony.
Government circles described the church group’s actions as “irresponsible and dangerous.” The visit was publicly promoted by the group, which triggered an immediate response from the authorities.
Officials said such actions undermine scientific protocols and put both exports and domestic production at risk.
The Old Calendarists also called farmers to mass prayer gatherings at the Holy Metropolitan Church of Agios Spyridonas.
Health officials consider the assembly of farmers from different areas in an enclosed space a serious biosecurity risk, as foot-and-mouth virus can spread very easily from person to person and then back to farms.
The Old Calendarists say the visits were “pastoral” in nature. The Agriculture Minister is waiting for the inspectors’ full report before deciding on next steps.
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