Monks’ lawyers refile appeal to Church of Cyprus

Lawyers representing the monks of the Osiou Avakoum Monastery refiled an appeal to the Church of Cyprus on Friday after receiving no response for 15 days.

The legal team said that this lack of response from the church is approaching “the borders of contempt.”

According to a press release from the law office of Efstathios Efstathiou, representing the monks, “We have again delivered to His Beatitude Archbishop Justiniana and All Cyprus, notifying also the members of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, the objection we had filed on July 8 and 16, because after 15 days we received no response.”

The lawyers said that this attitude of not responding to the appeal of the allegations against the monks is a violation of every ecclesiastical rule and is “insulting.”

Additionally, the announcement alleged that the church is assisting the accuser in the scandal and other individuals in the Tamassos bishopric in fleeing abroad.

However, the legal team emphasised that such attempts would be ineffective, as Orthodox Church laws apply universally, meaning that efforts to make the accusers disappear will not succeed.

The monks are also facing a disciplinary process with the Holy Synod, as Tamassos Bishop Isaias has filed allegations of sexual misconduct and financial impropriety against them.

The church is currently examining the issues raised by Isaias, with an investigative committee from the synod, having submitted their findings to the Holy Synod, who will issue the judgement through the ecclesiastical court.

The monks face possible defrocking, a decision they are challenging. According to their legal team, Bishop Isaias has already issued judgment on the alleged crimes by suspending the monks. The legal team argues that the ongoing church procedures suggest double jeopardy.