The case is known in Greece as the Vatopedi scandal, after the Greek Orthodox monastery on Mount Athos which received prime, state-owned real estate in … Email: filoxenia@vatopedi.gr Vatopedi monastery is hierarchically the 2 nd of the 20 monasteries on Mount Athos. Athos’ Vatopedi Monastery, Monk Arsenios, and twelve others in the so-called “Holy Exchange” have been dropped. The essence of the alleged scandal is that some of Vatopedi’s monks deviously mishandled the real estate holdings of the monastery. Vatopedi Monastery is a treasure hove of mediaeval artifacts and books. The former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis will most probably testify in front of the Commission, which will undertake the investigation of the scandal for the property of the Vatopedi monastery. Hundreds of millions of euros in a large corruption case between Greek Government and Church known as VATOPEDI MONASTERY SCANDAL that millions of euro money have been laundering with the involvement of Greek officials namely f. Minister Voulgarakis and his wife Catherine Pelekis and brother Dimitris Pelekis Lawyer and many others politicians, OFFSHORE Companies. The deal saw valuable state land traded for less valuable land held by the Orthodox monastery on Mount Athos. “Abbot Efrem”), the Abbot of the monastery of Vatopedi (var. Exposure of the scandal precipitated the fall of the country’s then conservative government in 2009. The trial of 13 people over the alleged Vatopedi Monastery land swap scandal began on Monday but was adjourned until March 23. The government is said to have lost tens of millions of euros in a series of land swaps with Vatopedi, a monastery with many prominent fans in Greece and abroad including Britain’s Prince Charles, who is a frequent visitor. The abbot of the prestigious Vatopedi monastery on Mount Athos in Greece has been jailed pending trial for alleged fraud and embezzlement. Mr Roussopoulos said he was quitting his post so he could defend himself against a "malicious and totally groundless attack". Those who will face charges […] A pearl of spiritual advice from Abbot Ephraim (var. Lately, Greek politicians aren't very welcome either, mainly because of the property scandal that engulfed the Vatopedi monastery several years ago. Originally, 14 people were due to stand trial but one of the accused has died. Vatopedi Monastery has traditionally held great estates all over Greece. The scandal arose during the government of New democracy and the names of politicians of high rang were involved in it. The property scandal … As is well known, the Orthodox Church is the largest single landowner in Greece, and the Athonite monasteries are especially well endowed. 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