monastery fundraising

The Osiou Avakoum monastery applied for a €3 million fundraiser to the interior ministry in 2020 but failed to submit the necessary financial statements afterwards. The application for the fundraiser, intended for the expansion of the monastery, was approved by the Tamassos Bishopric. The monastery is currently embroiled in scandals involving financial crimes, sexual harassment, and abuse, with investigations being conducted by the police and the anti-money laundering unit. A safe box containing €800,000 was found at the monastery, and the cash was transferred to the Tamassos Bishopric under police supervision. No arrests have been made in connection with these issues. The interior ministry expected a financial statement from the monastery after approving its fundraising application in 2021 but did not receive any despite sending eight reminders. A subsequent fundraising request from the monastery in 2023 was not approved, even though it provided bank statements showing €85,000 transfers from the previous fundraiser. The ministry plans to re-examine the case in light of these revelations, and MPs have called for a thorough investigation into money laundering within the church. Two investigators have been appointed by the attorney-general to examine allegations involving police officers’ presence at the monastery without senior officers’ knowledge or orders.