Over the objections of the auditor-general and environmental groups, it was reported on Monday that the government is going ahead with the tenders’ process for the construction of fish farms in the area of Pentakomo.The €34 million project is being run by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research. Both the auditor-general as well as … Read more
Bishop Isaias of Tamassos has indefinitely extended the suspension of Abbot Nectarios and Monk Porphyrios of the Saint Habakkuk monastery due to an ongoing case involving alleged financial improprieties and misconduct. The monks are barred from performing any liturgical acts until a final decision is reached by the Church authorities.
The financial aspect of the scandal surrounding the Osiou Avakoum monastery is the most complex one, according to the attorney-general. Monks under investigation were allegedly found with €800,000 in cash, property in Greece and Limassol, and were caught on CCTV footage having sex with each other.
The Archbishop stated that the events at the Osiou Avakoum monastery are within the statute of the Church and legal, and the trial will proceed normally.
Monks embroiled in the Osiou Avakoum monastery scandal have stated that the investigative committee’s procedures are illegal. The church’s 2021 ruling required investigative committees to have three members, while the church’s establishment charter stipulates five members.
Monks Isiais and Timotheos from the Osiou Avakoum monastery testified before a church investigative committee for around two hours each.
Fact: Archimandrite Nektarios testified for over four hours before the Synod-appointed investigative committee on Monday.
A South Korean DJ named Youn Sung-ho, also known as DJ NewJeansNim, is blending electronic dance music with Buddhist teachings to attract younger audiences. At a recent festival celebrating Buddha’s birthday, he performed to a large crowd and was praised for promoting “young Buddhism.” Venerable Jinwoo, the head of the largest sect of Korean Buddhism, gifted him with prayer beads and encouraged him to continue spreading hope and happiness to young people.
Fact: The Audit Office calls for a new study on siting an aquaculture project in the area of Moni-Vasilikos due to its possible detrimental effects on an endangered species of seal.
The Audit Office has requested a revised site allocation study for proposed marine farm facilities in the Moni-Vassiliko area due to the area’s significance for the Mediterranean monk seal. Plans to develop aquaculture facilities in the environmentally sensitive area are facing scrutiny, with a project tender issued for €34 million. The Audit Office recommends updating the National Action Plan for Monk Seal Conservation and ensuring public access to relevant assessments. Delays in project implementation could risk losing funding. The Audit Office criticizes the lack of detail in alternative locations considered in a previous study and recommends a revised study to address the gap. The Department of Environment’s pre-screening report for the Environmental Impact Assessment is criticized for not adequately considering the importance of the area for the Mediterranean monk seal. The proposed project aims to serve seven of the nine existing marine aquaculture farms in Cyprus, providing necessary support infrastructure.