myrrh

Avakoum monks had salaries paid

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Avakoum monks had salaries paid

Two monks from the Osiou Avakoum monastery, archimandrites Nektarios and Porfyrios, along with hieromonk Avakoum Christofis, were under investigation for alleged money laundering and engaging in sexual activity with each other. The monks were initially placed on leave with full pay, but later the decision was changed to withhold their salaries during the investigation. However, on Friday, they received payment for their salaries since March 12, which the lawyers said vindicated their clients. The monks had €807,000 in cash and were captured on camera engaging in sexual activity. Police had access to their bank accounts and other services for further investigation. The monks filed an appeal to have the frozen money returned, claiming that not all facts were presented to secure the freezing orders.

‘No room for compromise’ in finding truth over Avakoum scandal

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‘No room for compromise’ in finding truth over Avakoum scandal

Fact: The court case over the Osiou Avakoum monastery scandal has been postponed until May 30 after the two monks involved filed an appeal to recover the €807,000 taken from them during the investigation.

AG briefed over monks, ’ cash and sex scandal

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AG briefed over monks, ’ cash and sex scandal

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.

This is not a battle for perceptions, serious crimes have been committed

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This is not a battle for perceptions, serious crimes have been committed

The text discusses a series of scandals involving monks, including fraud related to miracles, romantic activities, and other misconduct. It mentions leaked videos, letters, and dialogues that have become public, contributing to the scandal. The Attorney General has appointed criminal investigators to work with the police on investigating potential criminal offenses related to these incidents. The text also describes specific examples of alleged misconduct, including a video of monks preparing myrrh and another video showing a monk striking a woman. In the latter case, the woman later claimed the video was edited and took responsibility for the misunderstanding, leading the police to state they cannot proceed without a complaint from her. The text criticizes the handling of these scandals and expresses concern about the impact on public opinion and the potential for more serious crimes to be uncovered.

St Habakkuk: New serious allegations set to emerge

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St Habakkuk: New serious allegations set to emerge

– A scandal involving the Saint Habakkuk Monastery has been revealed, with potential for more serious allegations to surface.
– There are complaints under review, including one for forgery and others for conspiracy.
– An intense media battle is ongoing between defrocked and accused monks and the Bishop of Tamassos and Orini, Isaias.
– The conflict may have arisen from the Bishop’s detection of irregular activity within the monastery or from the Metropolitan’s requests for large sums of money from the monastery, which were denied.
– The monks’ legal team is attempting to present their clients as the aggrieved party and has requested the immediate suspension of Isaias from the Holy Synod.
– A news report claimed Father Nectarios assured the Bishop of no financial impropriety, which the lawyers denied.
– Accusations of financial demands by the Bishop are supported by evidence including testimonies of monks and SMS messages.
– A monk was involved in a physical altercation with a woman, which was captured on video. The woman later defended the monk and claimed their relationship remained unaffected.
– Another allegation involves a monk applying myrrh to a cross, which the Bishop complained resembled a miracle. This was countered with a testimony claiming the cross was cleaned with antiseptic liquid and ethyl alcohol.

Bank accounts under scrutiny in Saint Habakkuk scandal

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Bank accounts under scrutiny in Saint Habakkuk scandal

Financial crime prosecutors are investigating Saint Habakkuk, examining documents and reports from the bishop’s deposition and summoning individuals for testimony. They are investigating property acquisitions by monks in Cyprus and Greece, bank account disclosures, and the origin of €807,000 in cash found at the monastery. The Tax Department is investigating the monastery’s financial obligations to the state. The Economic Crime Unit has received 15 testimonies and continues to evaluate evidence. Police Internal Affairs is investigating complaints against bishop Isaiah and others for alleged abduction and assault. Two policemen admitted to transporting valuable items from the monastery at bishop Tamasou’s request. Lawyers for two archimandrites claimed a videotape concerning myrrh found in the monastery was forged and illegally processed.

Lawyers dispute validity of video in Saint Habakkuk scandal

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Lawyers dispute validity of video in Saint Habakkuk scandal

The lawyers of two archimandrites issued a statement regarding leaked video footage related to the placement of myrrh in the Holy Monastery of Saint Habakkuk. They stated that the video does not show any scheming of fraud, with one instructing the other to place myrrh and clarified that Monk Nektarios never claimed the myrrh was miraculous. They also mentioned that the video is allegedly manipulated to harm the priests. The lawyers welcomed the Synodal Court’s announcement, seeing it as a step towards proper investigation before the Ecclesiastical Court convenes, as they had requested in a letter to the Holy Synod.