Monks request postponement in Saint Avakoum monastery case

The monks involved in the case of the Holy Monastery of Saint Avakoum have requested a postponement from the six-member Synodal Court, citing the need for their new lawyer, George Stylianou, to familiarize himself with the case. The request was made on Friday by one of the monks' lawyers, Anastasios Vavouskos, outside the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus.

Archimandrites Nektarios and Porphyrios, along with Monk Habakkuk, arrived at the Archdiocese on Friday morning for their scheduled appearance before the Synodal Court.

"I hope they will accept the postponement request because, beyond legal reasons, there are also reasons of humanity that necessitate it," Vavouskos said.

The monks' former lawyer, Efstathios Efstathiou, announced his resignation from the case before the Synodal Court, and it was confirmed on Friday that Stylianou would assume representation. Previously, the Synodal Court had unanimously decided that Vavouskos could not serve as defense counsel, according to the provisions of the Charter of the Church of Cyprus.

Metropolitan Isaias of Tamasos and Ori is expected to testify later in the day as a witness for the prosecution.

[Information sourced from CNA]