Through its lawyers, the Holy Monastery of Saint Habakkuk in Fterikoudi issued a rebuttal of accusations made public suggesting financial improprieties within the church.
The allegations are baseless and fabricated, the statement by the monastery’s lawyers said.
“We categorically refute these reports,” it said. They stressed the integrity of the monastery’s operations, stating, “No financial mismanagement or scandal has marked the operations of the Holy Monastery since its foundation in 2020 to this day.”
Further dismissing the accusations, the statement said that the evidence presented against the monastery was “fabricated and the result of criminal behaviour (illegal recording, editing, and use of audiovisual material).”
At the heart of the alleged scandal is the discovery of a safe containing €800,000 and properties in Piraeus and Limassol, which are believed to be owned by two members of the monastery.
Authorities are probing whether these funds were derived from the donations of the faithful.
The case took on added gravity following the uncovering of sexual acts between two monks, captured by cameras allegedly installed by the monks themselves.
The cameras were reportedly set up to monitor individuals entering and exiting an office within the monastery and a room used as a bedroom.
Despite the allegations, the monastery’s representatives highlighted its positive contributions to the community and its spiritual mission. “Since its foundation, the Holy Monastery, with only the voluntary contributions of the faithful and the relentless efforts of its monks, has managed to beautify and highlight the grave site of Saint Avvakum,” the statement detailed.
It went on to list the monastery’s achievements in renovating and constructing essential facilities and spaces for worship and reflection, which “are visible to the thousands of visitors to the Holy Monastery.”
The statement concluded by stressing the monastery’s role as a spiritual haven, “Since its establishment, the Holy Monastery of Saint Avvakum has been a spiritual beacon and a place of tranquillity and spiritual upliftment for the Orthodox Christians of Cyprus.”
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