A case involving a former archimandrite in Keratsini, a suburb of Athens, has caused widespread shock after four young women accused him of sexual abuse of minors, offenses against sexual dignity and coercion.
The women, who spoke about their experiences on the Greek television program “Exelixeis Tora,” described what they say was a disturbing reality within the church community they had trusted, where incidents took place when they were minors and that attempts were made to discourage them from reporting what happened.
The accusations have also raised questions about whether people around the priest were aware of the behavior and failed to intervene.
Women describe alleged abuse
One woman, now 22, said the abuse began when she was still a teenager. She described being invited to the priest’s room under the pretext of reading to him or helping him, before she says the situation escalated into unwanted sexual acts.
Another woman, now 23, said the alleged behavior started in 2017 during a trip abroad. She described being alone with the priest, who she says touched her inappropriately while presenting the actions as part of a religious gesture.
She also described later incidents in which, according to her account, the priest contacted her and used intimidating language before making unwanted advances.
The women said they often felt confused and afraid because the man was viewed by those around them as a respected religious figure. They described a community environment where they were taught to obey strict rules and avoid questioning authority.
Allegations of control and silence
The women also spoke about what they described as a highly controlled environment within the parish community, where strict expectations were placed on girls regarding clothing, friendships and personal choices.
One of the complainants said children were discouraged from discussing what happened inside the church community with their families, while another said that people close to the priest knew about his behavior but did not act.
The families of the women said they were devastated after learning what their daughters experienced. They expressed anger not only toward the former priest but also toward people they believe were aware of the situation.
One mother said that after discovering what had happened to her daughter, she feared that others may also have been affected and called for a full investigation.
Families claim attempts were made to prevent complaints
The parents said they received calls urging them not to speak publicly or involve outsiders. One mother stated that the priest’s brother told her he knew what had happened to the girls.
She also said the former priest contacted her after the allegations became known, telling her about “repentance,” which she interpreted as an indication that he was aware of his actions.
The families are now seeking justice and a complete investigation, saying the case concerns not only their own children but also any other potential victims.
Diocese of Nikaia responds
The Diocese of Nikaia issued a statement following the allegations, saying that it acted immediately after becoming aware of the case.
The Diocese said that all legally required ecclesiastical disciplinary procedures were launched and that the competent church bodies had already ruled on the matter.
It added that the decision could not be made public due to personal data protection rules, but insisted that all required legal procedures had been followed.
