A simmering dispute between the monks of Saint Habakkuk Monastery and Tamassos and Orinis Bishop Isaias has escalated after a fake Facebook account emerged, impersonating a priest allegedly involved in uncovering a scandal at the monastery.
The imposter account, posing as the priest who initially “secured” the monastery and urged the monks to confront the Bishop, expressed a willingness to report Isaias to authorities over alleged deception related to the scandal. The profile also included a public apology.
However, the real priest contacted the Bishop and denied any association with the fake account. He reiterated this during an interview with philenews.
The emergence of the impersonator is believed to be linked to the priest’s recent summons by police to testify on the monks’ accusations against Isaias. Notably, supporters of the monks shared the fake profile extensively.
Comments on the profile depicted the priest expressing supposed deception by Tamassos and seeking public forgiveness. Users offered their support in response.
The inauthentic account was eventually removed, presumably by its creators, after garnering significant online attention.
In a statement to philenews, the impersonated priest expressed relief over the profile’s takedown.
