Witnesses testify in Osios Avakoum monastery criminal case

Five prosecution witnesses appeared before the Nicosia criminal court on Monday to testify in the ongoing trial regarding the Osios Avakoum monastery scandal. The testimonies detailed alleged financial improprieties and manipulative practices involving monks Porphyrios and Nektarios. One witness, identified as A.Z., described paying a total of €5,000 for a religious icon of Saint Ephraim without receiving receipts. She claimed Porphyrios referred her to Nektarios, who insisted the icon would be of high quality rather than a "Mickey Mouse" production.

Another witness, S.Th., provided emotional testimony regarding the alleged exploitation of his family. He explained that after seeking help at the monastery for his seriously ill child, Nektarios used a cross belonging to Saint Porphyrios, which purportedly "stuck" to the child, leading the father to believe a miracle had occurred. The child later passed away, leaving the father disillusioned and without faith. During cross-examination of the first witness, defense attorney Kostis Efstathiou presented digital correspondence to clarify discussions regarding the pricing and style of the icons. The court proceedings remain focused on the financial and social conduct of the accused clergy members as the trial continues.