The trial of monks Nektarios and Porfyrios continued before the Nicosia Criminal Court with testimony from the first prosecution witnesses, following the conclusion of preliminary legal objections.
The witnesses were individuals who had made donations to the Monastery of Saint Avvakoum in Fterikoudi and told the court they believe they were deceived because promised projects or items were never provided.
€8,000 chandelier donation
The first witness, a woman who said she had visited the monastery for approximately three years, testified that she initially donated €1,000 for a prayer service on behalf of her brother when he was ill, without requesting or receiving a receipt.
She later decided to make an offering in his memory and asked what the monastery needed. According to her testimony, she was referred to a woman who informed her that the monastery required a chandelier valued at around €8,000.
After collecting the money, she handed over the amount in the presence of first defendant Nektarios Georgiou and received a receipt dated 13 August 2023.
The woman who appeared to be overseeing the process allegedly told her the chandelier would be ordered and that she would be informed when it arrived.
According to the witness, Nektarios remarked at the time that it was one of the largest donations the monastery had received.
She told the court that she subsequently received various explanations and excuses, but the chandelier she had funded was never delivered.
Donation for an icon
The second prosecution witness testified that she and her husband were approached during a visit to the monastery by the same woman, who asked whether they wished to contribute towards an icon that would be placed in a new chapel.
The witness said they chose an icon of Saint Marina, valued at €750.
According to her testimony, they were told their names would be permanently inscribed on the icon so that they would not need to make another religious offering in the future.
She said they initially paid €100 in cash as a deposit but received no receipt because, according to the woman, no receipt book was available at the time.
During a subsequent visit in 2021, they paid a further €300, again without receiving a receipt, while the remaining €350 was paid on 11 September 2022.
When she later asked to see the icon, the witness said the woman appeared uncomfortable and informed her that it would not be placed in the new chapel after all, but in another church.
She later received two receipts by post covering €650, but not the original €100 deposit.
After the Avvakoum Monastery affair became public, she attempted to contact the woman involved but received no response.
"I donated €750 as an offering, but I believe this icon was never made," she told the court.
Charges
Nektarios and Porfyrios face multiple charges, including:
- Conspiracy to defraud
- Forgery
- Use of forged documents
- Theft by agent
- Illegal possession of property
- Money laundering
- Interference with judicial proceedings
- Submission of a false tax declaration
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The hearing will continue in September, with both accused remaining free under restrictive conditions.
