Μake us preferred on Google A group of Israeli cruise ship passengers has been accused of exposing themselves and urinating in front of young children during a visit to a monastery on the Greek island of Syros, prompting a formal complaint from a local Greek Orthodox priest.
The incident occurred during an organized visit to the Monastery of St. Barbara, where some passengers from the Crown Iris reportedly exposed their genitals and urinated in a parking area shared by the monastery and an adjacent preschool. According to the complaint, the passengers’ actions took place in full view of teachers, parents and young children who were at the preschool at the time.
The allegations were detailed in a formal letter of protest submitted to those responsible for organizing the visits by the Rev. Flavian Albescu, the senior Greek Orthodox cleric representing the local church authorities on Syros.
In his complaint Albescu, who also serves as the director of the preschool operated by the Holy Metropolis of Syros, condemned the alleged behavior as unacceptable, saying it had disrespected not only a place of worship but also an educational facility attended daily by young children.
He also noted that the area is monitored by security cameras and that footage could be used to investigate and document the incident, if necessary and in accordance with legal procedures.
Bomb Scare Aboard Crown Iris Ends Without Explosives Found
The allegations emerged as Greek authorities completed a security operation aboard the Crown Iris following a report that an explosive device had been placed on the ship’s underwater hull.
The Panama-flagged cruise ship, operated by Israeli company Mano Maritime, was docked at the port of Syros when an unidentified person reported the alleged device over VHF radio. The ship’s captain immediately notified local port authorities. A specialized team from the Hellenic Coast Guard’s Underwater Operations Unit subsequently inspected the vessel but found no explosives, according to the Coast Guard.
Passengers who had disembarked as a precaution were allowed to return aboard once the search was completed.
The ship, carrying 940 passengers and 597 crew members, was expected to resume its scheduled voyage to Haifa, Israel.
The Crown Iris has previously been the focus of protests during visits to Greek ports, including Syros, Rhodes, Crete, Kefalonia, Corfu and Piraeus.
