A HEAVENLY INTERVENTION!
A LOCAL DISPUTE SPIRALS OUT OF CONTROL IN THE VILLAGE OF PLATANISTASA
The normally quiet mountain village of Platanistasa, within the Nicosia district, recently found itself at the centre of a local feud between a priest and a community leader. Their disagreements have since spiralled out of control, leading to further disputes, arrests and court proceedings.
A SERIES OF EXCESSIVE NOISE COMPLAINTS
The dispute, which has spiralled out of control, has led to several noise complaints being lodged against the local priest. These complaints accused him of ringing his church bell excessively for extended periods of time. As a result, local villagers have claimed that excessive bell ringing has caused a significant nuisance to them. Many of them believe that this was done to irritate the village’s community leader following a dispute. The priest is also alleged to have used loudspeakers to amplify the sound without the necessary permit.
TRADITIONALLY PART OF DAILY LIFE IN CYPRUS
Although church bells are traditionally part of daily life in Cypriot villages, several residents complained that the noise in this case far exceeded normal practice. Evidence of recordings for several of the excessive bell-ringing incidents was then presented to the police. A lengthy investigation then followed, resulting in the priest being placed under arrest.
A COURT APPEARANCE
The village priest has since appeared before a Nicosia court facing a total of 20 related charges. These include complaints against him for noise pollution, public nuisance, and using a loudspeaker without a permit. Several other complaints include holding services at erratic times and not managing proper access to his church.
ONGOING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Prosecutors claim that Father Georgios misused his clerical privileges. They also claim that he allegedly used the church bell of the Archangel Michael Church, not for worship but for personal retaliation. Father Georgios, in response, has refused to enter a plea. Two of the police officers, who handled the original complaint, along with some residents, are expected to appear as witnesses for the prosecution. Father Georgios remains in place at his church while legal proceedings are ongoing.
