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Authorities are investigating after a religious blessing was carried out at livestock units in Aradippou as farmers grapple with fears over foot-and-mouth disease.
Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou has contacted the Cyprus Police to look into the incident, her ministry said Thursday.
The move comes after the congregation and the priest of the Holy Metropolitan Church of Saint Spyridonos Aradippou held a special prayer service on Wednesday. According to a church announcement, the gathering was organized to pray for protection of local livestock from the spreading foot-and-mouth outbreak.
The service was led by Metropolitan Gerasimos of Kition, with clergy in attendance. Afterward, worshippers and livestock farmers were blessed, the church said.
But the visit did not stop at the church doors.
Following the service, the metropolitan reportedly went to a livestock unit in the area, where he sprinkled holy water, blessed the facilities and spoke with farmers about the challenges they are facing.
In its statement, the church also called on state authorities to actively support livestock farmers, saying they are under severe pressure as they try to contain the disease and protect their animals.
The ministry did not immediately say what prompted the police consultation or whether any laws may have been breached. Foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious among cloven-hoofed animals, and strict biosecurity measures are typically enforced during outbreaks to prevent further spread.
The incident has raised eyebrows in some quarters, as officials work to contain the epidemic using scientific protocols and movement controls.
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