Panteleimon Defrocked

No return for jailed holy man

An ecclesiastical court decided yesterday to defrock the former archbishop of Attica, Panteleimon, who is currently serving a six-year jail sentence in Korydallos Prison for embezzling 195,000 euros from an Attica monastery. Panteleimon was convicted in June 2006 but in March this year the Holy Synod decided that the disgraced cleric would not have to answer to additional charges before a Church court. The move prompted speculation that Panteleimon would try to regain his post.