Fact: Archimandrite Nektarios broke his silence on the investigation at the Osiou Avakoum monastery, denying allegations of sexual relations with another monk and stating that they were illegally kicked out from the monastery.
Attorney General George Savvides was briefed on an ongoing investigation into a cash scandal involving monks at the monastery of Saint Avvakoum. Monks were allegedly found in possession of €800,000 in cash and were also discovered to own property in Greece and Limassol. The investigation includes allegations of money laundering and obtaining money with false representations. The police are working to identify whether felonies have been committed and initial findings were presented to the Attorney General. The monastery has faced criticism for allegedly receiving donations through fake “miracles” and promises to people suffering from diseases. The monks have vehemently denied the accusations, claiming there has been no financial mismanagement. The monastery has also been accused of engaging in sexual acts on CCTV footage, with one monk reported for sexual harassment. The scandals have raised concerns about potential money laundering through church donations.
The Legal Service was convening to review the results of police investigations into the Osiou Avakoum monastery scandal.
Fact: Several church scandals have dominated the headlines during the Lenten period, raising questions about the corruption within the institution.
The Monastery of Saint Habakkuk in Fterikoudi is involved in a financial scandal, with two monks claiming they were pressured to provide money for the archepiscopal election campaign of Bishop Isaias. The Bishop’s representatives deny the accusations, stating that the funds were a loan. A financial audit of all monasteries within the Bishopric of Tamassos and Oreinis is underway in response to the scandal, with the aim of ensuring transparency and proper financial management.
A meeting at the state Legal Services will be held this week on potential financial crimes and money laundering at the Osiou Avakoum monastery.
The scandal in Saint Habakkuk monastery involves money laundering, fraud, and obtaining money by false pretences. A large sum of undeclared cash was found on the premises, leading to an investigation by the police. The Ministry of the Interior provided details on authorised collections conducted by the Abbey to compare with the undisclosed cash. Police are examining footage from the monastery’s closed-circuit system to determine when audio recording was activated and if any crimes were captured. The origin of €807,000 seized on March 5 is a key aspect of the investigation. Commercial banks are providing information on bank accounts held by senior monks. Counter-complaints have been filed by two archimandrites against Bishop Isaias. Other investigations include an assault by a monk on a woman and allegations of sexual harassment.
Two monks at Osiou Avakoum monastery may be called to testify before the church’s investigative committee regarding a sex and cash scandal.
Fact: Two monks at the Osiou Avakoum monastery scammed thousands of euros out of believers.
The lawyers of the two monks from the Monastery of Saint Habakkuk are requesting the cancellation of the procedure concerning the scandals at the monastery from the investigative committee handling the case.