An unwavering anti-vaccine Greek Orthodox bishop has died of COVID-19 just weeks after his unvaccinated sister also died due to complications from the virus.

The 76-year old Metropolitan Kosmas of Aetolia and Acarnania died after a month-long battle with the virus that saw him moved from a local hospital in Agrinio to an ICU room at Evangelismos hospital in Athens.

Kosmas had refused to get vaccinated and loudly opposed government measures such as mask use and vaccination. 

Speaking during a sermon in 2020, Kosmas denounced those reluctant to attend a packed church, labelling them “unfaithful.”

“God does not allow you to be infected. God does not infect,” the bishop said. “[Church] is a holy place. The temple is heavenly.”

Kosmas’ actions led to him being summoned by the Holy Synod, who asked the bishop to explain his “disobedience and disrespect of the unanimous decision of the collective body of the Church of Greece” regarding the coronavirus health measures during the Easter period.

The bishop’s 75-year-old sister, who was also unvaccinated, died of COVID-related complications on December 13.