The Saint Habakkuk Monastery scandal has started discussions about potential successors to the Archbishopric of Cyprus, despite the current Archbishop Georgios being only two years into his tenure, ecclesiastical sources told Phileleftheros.
The controversy has reportedly provided an opportunity for power shifts within the church hierarchy. Initially, there were suggestions to neutralise Tamassos Bishop Isaias, who, as the local bishop, bears responsibility for the unfolding events in his district. Moreover, some church officials have considered declaring Isaias deposed for allegedly accepting funds from the monastery’s monks to finance his 2022 archepiscopal campaign.
Sources close to the Tamassos Bishopric claim that seemingly innocuous moves may have had ulterior motives. They point to a reported meeting between Limassol Bishop Athanasios and Anastasios Vavouskos, the lawyer representing the monks involved in the scandal.
The meeting has raised ethical concerns, given Athanasios’s role on the Synodical Court trying the monks.
Attempts to reach the Limassol Bishop for comment were unsuccessful.
The Tamassos Bishopric’s representatives suggest that the meeting may have been an indirect approach to the monks, potentially aiming to create a favourable climate among their supporters for future archepiscopal elections.
Another point of contention is the monks’ choice of residence during their suspension and trial. Despite instructions to stay at the Kykkos Metochion, they reportedly opted for the Holy Monastery of Sfalangiotissa, under Athanasios’s jurisdiction.
These developments come against a backdrop of strained relationships among church leaders, following the 2022 archiepiscopal election that saw Paphos Bishop Georgios ascend to the position of Archbishop.
Kykkos Bishop Nikiforos and Isaias initially thew their backs behind Athanasios for Archbishop, but after falling out with him, Isaias switched allegiances to Georgios, who eventually won the throne with 11 votes, compared to the four of Athanasios.
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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