A dispute has started in the mountain village of Platanistasa where tensions between the community leader and the local priest have escalated into a row involving church bells, loudspeakers and a dismissed secretary.
The conflict, which intensified after recent local elections, has drawn in the Bishop of Morphou, the Deputy Minister of Culture, and the police. Residents have gathered signatures protesting against the church bells being rung for up to four minutes at a time.
Community leader Savvas Savvides and other villagers have raised serious complaints about the priest’s behaviour, claiming he rings the church bells for excessive periods and plays the loudspeakers at high volume.
These actions are allegedly in retaliation for the new community council’s decision to terminate the employment of the priest’s wife, who had served as council secretary for 24 years.
Archpriest Christopher, appointed by the Metropolitan Bishop as overseer of local churches, told Philenews the dispute stems from personal differences. According to Savvides’s letter to the Metropolitan Bishop, the priest allegedly said “you dismissed my wife, I will drive you mad”.
The dispute has also affected access to the UNESCO-protected Church of the Holy Cross of Agiasmati, which is not consistently open to visitors. Reports indicate that the church service can be heard in neighbouring villages, though the priest maintains the broadcasts serve housebound parishioners.
Archpriest Christophoros noted that both sides have valid points on certain issues. “There are few creatures left in the village, let’s not drive them away with our behaviour”, he said.
The community leader reported that the problems have intensified since his election. Savvides said that even today, the loudspeakers were playing loudly from 6:40 in the morning. He expressed concern that new residents who built homes in the village are considering leaving due to the disturbance.
The matter has been reported to police, who have inspected the loudspeakers. The community council has also met with the Deputy Minister of Culture to discuss security measures for the UNESCO church and establish regular opening hours for public access.
