Several high-ranging members of the Greek Orthodox Church in Greece suffered burns and were transferred to a local hospital after a priest sprayed them with acid.

The incident occurred at a disciplinary hearing inside the Petraki Monastery in central Athens during which the perpetrator, a Greek Orthodox priestmonk from northern Greece, was set to be defrocked for taking part in drug trafficking-related offenses.

A total of seven Metropolitans suffered injuries from the corrosive liquid on their faces and eyes. News media in Greece reported that none of the injuries were life-threatening.

A spokesperson for Greece’s Orthodox Church told The Pappas Post that it is believed the perpetrator used sulphuric acid. The attack came immediately after the announcement of the priest’s punishment.

The injured Metrpolitans were Nikodemos of Kassandreia, Kallinikos of Arta, Andreas of Driinoupolis, Dionysios IV of Zakynthos, Kyrillos of Kifissia, Demetrios of Goumenissa and Antonios of Glyfada.

Orthodox Times shared shocking images of the incident.