Cypriot priest faces court charges over church bell ringing

Platanistasa, Nicosia Province, Cyprus, February 21, 2025

Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr Photo: orthodoxianewsagency.gr     

An Orthodox priest in the Nicosia Province of Cyprus has been summoned to the district court on March 3.

The notice of his indictment came as a complete surprise, says Fr. George Kourris of the Church of the Archangel Michael in Platanistasa. 20 charges have been brought against the priest, all connected with the ringing of his church bell, reports the Orthodoxia News Agency.

Forty residents signed a complaint against Fr. George, claiming he’s causing a disturbance and a nuisance by using loudspeakers to amplify the bell.

Speaking on the Alpha News program, Fr. George said he thought the matter, which was originally raised last summer, had been resolved in November, when the town council issued a statement saying it had no problem with him.

However, the case is being brought before justice, prosecuting “not the priest, but the Church itself,” Fr. George said. Bell ringing is part of the sacred services, he explained, rejecting accusations that he rings it repeatedly.

“It’s shameful to say that the bell ringing is disturbing,” he emphasized.

“May God forgive them all so they understand their mistake, with the help of the Archangel Michael,” he concluded.

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2/21/2025

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