Furor in Greece and Russia about the Ephraim case developments

Still bedridden in his cell, Ephraim is slightly better, today according to the local doctor, who said that most probably he will be able to move within the next two-three days; nevertheless, the final deadline for his arrest will expire this coming Monday at 16:00 pm.

Although seriously ill, Ephraim himself said that, “I am a monk and have to appear in front of the judges… I am not sorry for myself, but for those behind this conspiracy”.

Both the Greek and Russian Churches, however, complained about the way Ephraim is being treated, while Igor Yakimchuk, the man responsible for the inter-Orthodox relations between the two Churches, spoke about a “flimsily cruel” and “exclusively political” decision.

According to him, “this is about something unprecedented and our anxiety is natural. Even if, allegedly, Abbot Ephraim is guilty, the arrest of a Most Reverend man is far too much”.

Moreover, Yakimchuk said that “for many people in Greece, this unpleasant event will be considered a misfortune and will ruin the Holy day”.

Also, from within Greece, there have been voices against Ephraim’s arrest, such as the complaint made by the Apostolou Andreou Proklitou Institution.

By the account of the Institution of Saint Andrew’s vice president, Mikhail Yakoushev, a Facebook page has been created in support of the Abbot in custody.