On August 4, 2021, the Metropolitan of Morph of the Cyprus Orthodox Church, Neophytos, appeared before the District Court of Nicosia, according to the Bulletin of Cyprus.

The bishop is accused of violating quarantine norms during the divine service and religious procession on January 6, on the feast of the Epiphany.

According to the defender, Metropolitan Neophyte was not given the opportunity to answer the accusations. The lawyer himself said at the trial that the hierarch did not force anyone to violate quarantine measures, but simply called on to come to the festive service. As for the divine service, the lawyer stressed, the metropolitan fulfilled his religious duties in accordance with the rights that the Constitution of the country gives him.

At the same time, an action in support of the Cypriot hierarch was held near the courthouse. About two dozen people came to the court with placards “Hands off our Vladyka”, “Metropolitan Neophyte, we are with you”, “Lives our Lord our God.”

At the beginning of this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, quarantine restrictions were in force in Cyprus, according to which services in churches could be performed in the presence of no more than 75 people.

In January, Metropolitan Neophyte was summoned to the Investigative Committee for an explanation after he performed the Divine Liturgy with the participation of a large number of believers, 10 of whom did not want to put on masks.