Dialogos

Police Investigations Underway for Priests Who Entered Farms to "Exorcise" Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Published February 26, 2026, 09:03
Police Investigations Underway for Priests Who Entered Farms to "Exorcise" Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Police investigations are underway following instructions from the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, regarding reports that priests entered livestock farms in Aradippou, violating strict biosecurity measures due to the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic. The investigation focuses on how the priests gained access to the farms, bypassing the protocols. The Minister of Agriculture has instructed the Veterinary Services to investigate the circumvention of biosecurity checks, the potential responsibility of the owners, and the risk of virus transmission through robes and objects used during the blessing. This action is characterized by government circles as irresponsible and dangerous. The initiative of the Old Calendarists to call farmers to mass prayers at the Holy Metropolitan Church of Agios Spyridon is causing particular concern, as the gathering of people in a closed space constitutes a health "trap". The Minister of Agriculture is awaiting the inspectors' report to determine the next steps. The government believes that this action undermines scientific protocols, endangers exports and domestic production, and creates a serious health risk for the entire livestock capital of Cyprus. Protecting public health and livestock farming is a priority for the government.