A lengthy investigation into alleged wrongdoing at the Monastery of Saint Habakkuk is nearing its conclusion, with a voluminous report exceeding 1,000 pages compiled by the Holy Synod Investigative Committee.
The report details accusations against Abbot Nectarios and Archimandrite Porphyrios and includes extensive witness testimonies. Lawyers for the monks called 20 witnesses in their defence, while the Tamassos Bishopric provided a significant number of witnesses for the prosecution.
Citizens who interacted with the Monastery during the relevant period were also interviewed.
The Committee’s work is substantially complete, but finalising the indictment for the Ecclesiastical Court is ongoing. The indictment will be prepared by an ecclesiastical prosecutor and submitted to the Court for review, which is expected to take several days due to the voluminous report.
The Investigative Committee reportedly recommends defrocking both monks. The report is believed to contain evidence of moral transgressions substantiated by audiovisual material, with no mitigating circumstances identified.
The case is expected to be resolved by next week, with the Ecclesiastical Court assuming jurisdiction.
The trial itself may extend until mid-August if sufficient time is granted for the monks to prepare their defence.
The Saint Habakkuk Monastery is embroiled in a financial scandal, with police investigating allegations of misuse of funds.
Two monks from the monastery have been arrested and face trial for financial charges.
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