Today, bishop Isaiah of Tamasos testified for hours before the Investigative Committee of the Holy Synod regarding the scandal at the Holy Monastery of St. Habakkuk.
Bishop Isaiah was the first to testify before the committee as an accuser in this specific case, aspects of which he initially presented before the Holy Synod.
His testimony marks the initiation of the committee’s operation, which will later hear from the two accused monks.
Additionally, it is expected to call forth both prosecution and defense witnesses for the two monks.
According to information from ecclesiastical sources, bishop Isaiah’s testimony before the Investigative Committee was comprehensive, hence the time taken to conclude.
The committee even operated on Saturday, indicating its non-interference.
As reported by philenews, the evidence presented by Metropolitan Isaiah before the Holy Synod, which presumably he reiterated before the investigative committee, is staggering.
According to the allegations, the testimonial material not only refers to sexual acts but also includes photographs allegedly taken by participants.
Apart from visual evidence, there is also audio material.
The material submitted to the Holy Synod includes allegations and evidence related to financial fraud, which the two monks have denied.
This specific aspect, including the discovery of the safe containing €807,000 and allegations of a conspiracy to conceal it, will be examined along with other allegations by the Police.
Once the investigative committee completes its work, it will inform the Ecclesiastical Court, which will decide on the dismissal or not of the two accused monks, who are already suspended.
