The decision for the arrest of the abbot of the Vatopedi Monastery Archimandrite Ephraim is "unreasonably cruel" and "exclusively one of political nature", told the Russian news agency Interfax the Secretary of the Synodical Department for Foreign Church Relations, responsible for inter-church relations, Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk.

He also took into account the probability that the arrest is related to the recent visit of the abbot in Russia, where he accompanied the Virgin Mary Belt.

"This is an unprecedented event and it is natural for us to worry. Even if we assume that Ephraim is guilty of something, the arrest of an abbot of the monastery, of a monk is a last resort," said Father Yakimchuk.

According to the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church, it is difficult to determine whether the decision to arrest the abbot is justified because to do that it is necessary to know well both Greek legislation and the specific case, but the very fact of the arrest of Father Ephraim, especially in Christmas Eve, "raises many issues."

"This arrest will ruin the holiday of many religious people in Greece", said the Russian priest.

He expressed his surprise because "the renewal of this case began immediately after the triumphant return of Father Ephraim from Russia with the Virgin Mary Belt, which may be just a coincidence, but many see this somehow connected, as some backroom political games", added Yakimchuk before the Russian agency.

A delegation sent by the Vatopedi monastery accompanied Virgin Mary Belt, which was exposed for worship in 11 Russian cities from 20th of October to 28th of November.

Yesterday in a statement the "St. Andrew the Apostle," Foundation also vehemently protested against the arrest of Ephraim.

The abbot visited Russia on their initiative and its president Vladimir Yakunin is also president of the Russian Railways, and a personal friend and ally of the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Putin met twice with Father Ephraim in Moscow, first at the arrival of the Virgin Mary Belt, and later at his residence, where the delegation from the Vatopedi monastery was invited.

At the same time on the initiative of the Vice-President of the Foundation Mikhail Yakushev, a Facebook page was created in support of the abbot, where Russian believers are urged to vote in support of the priest and to comment.