Monastery Scandal: Impersonated Priest Clears Air on Social Media

Escalating Dispute at Saint Habakkuk Monastery

The serene life of Saint Habakkuk Monastery has been disrupted by a digital impersonation drama amidst an ongoing dispute with Tamassos and Orinis Bishop Isaias. A fake Facebook account surfaced, masquerading as a priest central to the controversy surrounding the monastery. The account’s creator took on the guise of the priest who had previously encouraged the monks to stand up to the Bishop, and went as far as to issue threats of reporting Bishop Isaias to the authorities over alleged misconduct.

The profile’s activity included a public apology, suggesting remorse for supposed deception by the Bishop of Tamassos. This unexpected twist in the narrative caught the attention of the monastery’s supporters, who quickly spread the word through social media channels. The comments section of the profile became a hub for expressions of solidarity, with many users offering their backing.

Yet, in a surprising turn of events, the real priest denied any association with the account. His swift response included direct communication with Bishop Isaias and a public clarification during an interview with philenews. This revelation cast doubt on the legitimacy of the claims made by the imposter and highlighted the complexities of digital identity in contemporary disputes.

The timing of this impersonation is noteworthy, coinciding with the priest’s recent police summons to provide testimony on the monks’ accusations against Bishop Isaias. The incident has raised questions about the potential motivations behind the creation of the fake Facebook account and its subsequent removal—presumably by its creators—after it had achieved widespread attention.

In response to the account’s deletion, the impersonated priest conveyed his relief to philenews, marking an end to this chapter of the Facebook impersonation saga. However, with tensions still high at Saint Habakkuk Monastery, it remains to be seen how this digital disturbance will influence the ongoing dispute and the quest for resolution in the wake of the scandal.