From the only in Cyprus department. This time only in the South, as the scandal is entirely Orthodox - though sounds anything but orthodox. Shouldn’t be funny, and is not quite a victimless crime, but very nearly.
It would seem that two of the Greek Orthodox monks have been accused of “having sexual relations with each other and gaining €800,000 for fake miracles and holy myrrh”. Sadly, this constitutes straight reporting (or more accurately gay reporting?) by the Cyprus Mail rather than click bait, so impossible to click through to determine what fake miracles were involved and who stumped up the €800,000. Imagination can run riot. And was the holy myrrh fake as well? Non-existent or simply not holy? Definitely not wise men, these monks. Although they are alleged to have signed confessions after fourteen hours of interrogation by a bishop. Third degree? Their lawyers say signed under duress, and add that “the sex scandal has nothing to do with the two men, but with a third former cleric of the same monastery, for whom individuals had filed a sexual abuse claim”. In any case, the two were summoned three times to attend an emergency ecclesiastical session today but did not show up.
The justice ministry claims to be discreetly monitoring the situation. Good to know that discretion is being practised somewhere.
The story has, of course, excited more than the usual amount of commentary on the CM’s online edition:
“They could face defrocking. They should face decocking, dirty gits.”
“It’s not the bad deeds that count now but the correct and hard actions required.”
“They already have had Hard actions.”
To be continued, no doubt.
Meanwhile, in the sober North of the island, the most excitement is a quiet acknowledgment of Women’s Day. We’re down at the Blue Song for our usual Friday afternoon drink and chat and the waiter comes outside to our table and silently hands each of the women a long stemmed carnation. Very nice.