Thessaloniki / The case file for the archimandrite and the hieronymus who “exasperated” believers is at the prosecutor’s office

The prosecutor was forwarded file on the 68-year-old archimandrite from Thessaloniki and 61-year-old former priestinvolved in a donation fraud of more than 1.3 million euros.

The voluminous case file, in which include at least two more persons, 51 and 34 years old, has been assigned to be processed by a public prosecutor and based on the criminal acts that he finds to have been committed, he will order criminal prosecution.

The police investigation that preceded it concluded that they were committed the offenses of criminal organisation, fraud, forgery and money laundering (by education and profession).

According to what became known, the case file includes complaints from at least six alleged victims, and over a 5-year period, from November 2018 to February 2023.

As they stated in their depositions, the archimandrite and the former rasophore (deposed by a clergyman) asked them for sums of money, falsely convincing them that the promotion of the 68-year-old to Metropolitan of Thessaloniki is certain.

In fact, to be convincing, they showed off forged letters which were compiled by the 61-year-old ordained priest, where religious organizations and government agencies, such as the Archdiocese of Athens, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Ministry of Finance and even the Presidency of the Republic, appeared as senders – editors.

Trustworthy donors, they were supposed to get their money backwhile he would benefit when the archimandrite would assume the position of Metropolitan, allegedly participating in the management of the reserves and properties of the Metropolis of Thessaloniki, in the supplies, the sissitia, etc.

Investigating the flow of money, the prosecuting authorities seem to have found that the “holy” donations were transferred to the accounts of the accomplices of the 68-year-old cleric and part of them was spent on the purchase of luxury cars and an apartment. A vehicle has already been seized, as well as laptops and USB storage devices, bank passbooks, handwritten notes and various letters.