Investigations at both police and ecclesiastical levels are underway regarding the events that took place at the Monastery of Saint Habakkuk and the revelations coming to light, with leaks from ecclesiastical sources.
Ecclesiastically, the decision of the Synodal Court to request further investigations from the Investigative Committee of the Holy Synod is underway, in accordance with the Charter of the Church of Cyprus, following mutual allegations from bishop Isaiah and the monks at the Habakkuk monastery.
On the other hand, police investigations are also underway on two fronts.
Firstly, allegations from bishop Isaiah regarding financial scandals at the monastery and the deception of the faithful with miracles, and secondly, allegations from the monks that part of the money ended up in the pre-election campaign of bishop Isaiah for the archiepiscopal throne.
Furthermore, the appointment of investigators by the Legal Service to investigate the involvement of police officers and other individuals during the raid on the monastery, and the monks’ allegations of their abduction and coercion to sign confessions, are ongoing.
Among other things, it will be examined whether the police officers acted on their own initiative or under orders from above.
The case surrounding the Habakkuk Monastery in Fterikoudi is expected to further develop, with videos leaked to the media, products of illegal recording, conflicting claims, and even rumours of corrupt relationships tarnishing the image of the Church.
Additionally, an environmental scandal involving the construction of a building with cells and auxiliary spaces at the Quiet Retreat of Saint Habakkuk in Fterikoudi is unfolding.
It is noted that this case has engaged the provincial administration of Nicosia, leading to the monastery being brought before the court.
The buildings have already been erected without securing the necessary permits, and therefore, according to the procedure, studies cannot be submitted and evaluated while the case is pending in court.
Regarding the registration of the road leading to the monastery, for the evaluation of the application, the necessary studies, Special Environmental Assessment, and information report must be prepared beforehand.
Archbishop Georgios requested an end to leaks regarding the Habakkuk Monastery scandal in statements made on Sunday, following the service at the Holy Temple of Apostle Philip in Latsia.
“Because these days,” he emphasized, “there is turmoil among the faithful, I would like to appeal to everyone, in all quarters, because there are leaks not only from the monks but also from other quarters. We understand the content of these leaks, not to rush to prejudge the findings of the Committees.”
“Our will, both mine and that of the Holy Synod,” he added, among other things, “is to fully investigate everything related to the Habakkuk Monastery and perhaps other monasteries and other metropolises and the entire Cyprus and the Church of Cyprus. These phenomena do not bring honor to any Orthodox Christian.”
“Let everything be fully clarified,” Archbishop Georgios stressed, “so that the Church can proceed undistracted in its spiritual work. Let us leave justice, both ecclesiastical and civil, to do its work. We will reach the end,” he added.
