avakoum trial — avakoum trial — The ongoing trial surrounding the Avakoum monastery has brought to light allegations from donors who claim they contributed significant amounts of money for a chandelier and an icon that were never delivered. Testimonies presented at the Nicosia permanent criminal court on Wednesday revealed the frustrations of two witnesses who entrusted their funds to the monastery.
Both witnesses described their experiences of donating thousands of euros, believing their contributions would support meaningful projects at the monastery. The first witness, identified as DH, shared her story of donating €1,000 for a prayer service for her ill brother. After his passing, she sought to honour his memory further by donating towards a chandelier, which she was informed would cost around €8,000.
DH recounted how she struggled to gather the funds, eventually handing them over in August 2023. Despite her substantial donation, she did not receive detailed information about the chandelier’s specifications or confirmation that it had been ordered. It was only after hearing about the case in March 2024 that she approached the Tamassos bishopric to inquire about the chandelier, discovering it had never been made.
The second witness, EH, recounted a similar experience when she and her husband were approached at the monastery about sponsoring an icon of Saint Marina for a new chapel. They initially paid a €100 deposit in cash, followed by an additional €300 during a subsequent visit, and the remainder of the €750 total on September 11, 2022. However, they received no receipts for the initial payments, which raised their suspicions.
During her visits, EH noted that when she later asked to see the icon, the administrator seemed evasive, stating it would not be placed in the new chapel as initially promised. Following the emergence of the trial, EH attempted to contact the monastery’s representative but received no response, leading her to believe the icon had never been created.
Testimonies from both witnesses highlighted their financial sacrifices, with DH mentioning her modest pension and the efforts she made to save for her old age. The emotional toll of the situation was evident, as she expressed regret over her decision to donate her savings instead of keeping them for her future needs.
Adding to the proceedings, a police officer presented evidence regarding public posts from the Avakoum monastery’s social media accounts. These posts were reportedly soliciting donations for various projects, complete with bank account details and payment information. The officer confirmed that these accounts remained active and contained numerous posts seeking contributions.
The trial, which has garnered public attention, will continue on September 7, 9, 14, and 16, with the prosecution indicating it has no further witnesses for the current session. The ongoing legal battle has raised questions about accountability and the use of donations in religious institutions, with the two monks facing serious charges, including conspiracy to defraud and money laundering while running a bakery business in Lythrodontas.
