The head of the Orthodox Church of Greece will soon visit the jailed abbot of Vatopedi Monastery, Ephraim, in his cell at Korydallos prison.

The move by Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece comes after the Church’s Holy Synod agreed, after a two-day discussion, to issue an announcement in support of the jailed abbot.

In its decision, the synod criticises the fact that Ephraim was remanded in custody at Christmas, adding that the holy conventions of Mount Athos were violated.

The announcement continues by expressing the sympathy of the members of the Holy Synod for the abbot and the wish and hope that he will be released soon.

Ephraim was placed in custody on December 28, accused of inciting officials to commit acts of fraud, perjury and money-laundering, a charge that can fetch him a jail term of several years.