Nicosia, Cyprus. Two witnesses told the Nicosia permanent criminal court on Wednesday that they donated thousands of euros for a church chandelier and an icon at Avakoum monastery but did not see either project completed. A police officer also presented a report on public Facebook posts allegedly seeking donations for projects linked to the monastery and first defendant Nektarios Georgiou.
Charges against monks
Monks Nektarios and Porfyrios of Avakoum monastery face multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud, forgery and use of forged documents, theft by an agent, unlawful possession of property, money laundering, interference with judicial proceedings and filing a false tax return.
The two monks have also launched a bakery business in Lythrodontas while awaiting trial.
Witness describes chandelier donation
The first witness, identified as DH, told the court she had visited the monastery for around three years. She said she initially donated €1,000 for a prayer service for her seriously ill brother and neither requested nor received a receipt.
Following her brother’s death, she decided to make a memorial offering and asked what the monastery needed most. She said GX, whom she understood to be responsible for the monastery’s administration, told her that a chandelier costing about €8,000 was needed.
DH said she took time to raise the money before handing it over at the monastery in the presence of Nektarios Georgiou. She received a receipt dated August 13, 2023.
Financial circumstances and cross-examination
The witness said she received a €300 pension in Cyprus and about €700 from abroad, where she had previously worked. She said she had saved the money for old age and possible illness but chose to use it for the offering.
During cross-examination by defence lawyer Costas Efstathiou, she acknowledged that nobody had explained the chandelier’s specifications in detail or whether its installation was included in the quoted cost.
She also confirmed that she had not been told the chandelier had been ordered, only that it would be ordered. She said she spoke with Nektarios only on the day she delivered the money.
Police report
After the case became public in March 2024, DH said she visited the Tamassos bishopric and asked a priest whether the chandelier existed. After being told it did not, she reported the matter to police, believing the money may have been used for another purpose.