The Holy Synod’s Investigative Committee is examining new sexual misconduct allegations against a cleric after a witness statement was leaked to a Greek religious news website.
According to the complaint, the cleric, who previously testified in the Saint Habakkuk Monastery case, allegedly paid at least one person who engaged in sex work with both men and women. The complainant allegedly provided detailed accounts of various incidents that could result in the cleric’s defrocking.
In his testimony, the complainant expressed strong support for the defrocked Abbot Nectarios, claiming he was the victim of a conspiracy in Saint Habakkuk. The complainant acknowledged receiving financial assistance from the accused cleric at one point but said he filed the complaint due to the cleric’s stance against Nectarios, whom he knows well.
Prior to this complaint, the accused cleric had been suspended for six months by Tamassos Bishop Isaias for exchanging messages deemed inappropriate.
The complainant alleges the messages were sexual in nature and claims to have had sexual relations with the cleric. The accused allegedly sent the complainant nude photographs of someone he purportedly had sexual relations with in Thessaloniki and requested nude photographs in return.
The Saint Habakkuk Monastery scandal centres around alleged financial improprieties and misconduct.
The monks face accusations of money laundering, fraud, and obtaining money through false pretences. A large sum of undeclared cash was reportedly found on the premises, raising suspicion about its origin.
The monastery’s lawyers have vehemently denied all accusations, calling them “fabricated” and stressing the legitimacy of their financial operations.
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