Man smashes church windows and attacks priest
In Volos, Greece, a man vandalised a local church by smashing its windows before attacking a hieromonk, striking him multiple times. The incident has deeply unsettled the local clergy and parishioners.
A 41-year-old man entered the courtyard of the Church of the Annunciation in Volos in a rage and for unknown reasons broke two windows in the vestibule of the church and the glass of an icon, then attacked the priest of the church who, confused, tried to stop him. The man hit the priest in the face, causing panic among passers-by and those present in the courtyard.
The assailant was immediately arrested under the auto-foro procedure, which allows for immediate arrest in the case of flagrant offences. He has since appeared in court while the authorities continue to investigate his motives, which remain unclear at this stage.
After the attack, the priest went to the police station to lodge a complaint and then to hospital where he was examined. He was not seriously injured.
The incident has caused concern in the local community, with worshippers expressing fears for their safety at holy sites.
Source: Athens News, Ant news
Picture: Police website of Volos city