At a monastery in Cyprus, a monk attacked several people

A serious incident, classified by the police as an attempted murder, occurred at a monastery in the province of Paphos. Two men were injured as a result of the attack by a 51-year-old monk from one of the local monasteries. This was reported by Orthodoxia.info.

The conflict erupted when members of a church committee arrived at the suspect’s cell and demanded that he leave the monastery grounds. During the ensuing altercation, the 51-year-old monk—who had been under a church ban for the past several months—attacked a 53-year-old maintenance worker accompanying the commission with a utility knife. The man sustained stab wounds to his neck and arm.

A 27-year-old monk attempted to intervene and also sustained an injury to his arm. According to available information, the attacker’s primary target was the monastery’s abbot; however, the victims took the blow themselves in an attempt to prevent the attack. The 53-year-old technician was admitted to Paphos Hospital, where he received the necessary medical care. The younger monk was discharged after being examined by doctors.

The 51-year-old suspect is currently in custody. Police are investigating a number of serious charges, including attempted murder, bodily harm, and illegal possession of a bladed weapon.