Monk detained over attempted murder investigation at Paphos monastery

Paphos, Cyprus. Police are continuing their investigation into a serious incident at Agios Neophytos Monastery after a court ordered the six-day detention of a 51-year-old monk suspected of injuring the monastery’s maintenance technician and another monk with a sharp object.

Investigation continues

Investigators are taking statements from people close to the suspect and others connected with the monastery.

As the investigation continues, further details have emerged about the background to Friday’s incident, including claims that the monk had repeatedly refused to follow instructions in recent years.

Relations at the monastery

According to information obtained by Phileleftheros, the monk had lived at Agios Neophytos Monastery for many years and had maintained good relations with the abbot and the other monks until about four years ago.

Sources said that from around that time, he allegedly began refusing to follow the abbot’s instructions, with relations between them eventually reaching breaking point.

People familiar with the situation told Phileleftheros that there had been several occasions when the monk did not follow the monastery’s schedule or that of the other monks.

His alleged disobedience was said to have been the main factor in the deterioration of relations and appeared to have formed the basis for the abbot’s decision several months ago to suspend him from his clerical duties.

Suspension and residence

While suspended, the monk did not take part in Divine Liturgy, other church services or sacraments, although he continued to live at the monastery.

He was using two cells, one of which had previously been occupied by his father. His father, who was from Romania, had lived at the monastery as a layman and received assistance from the monastery until his death following an illness.

Phileleftheros also reported that the arrested man was not only a monk but also a deacon.