A monk was taken into custody for allegedly using a box cutter to attack a preacher in a monastery.

A shocking event occurred at the Agios Neophytos Monastery in Paphos, Cyprus, where a Romanian monk was arrested for attacking two men with a box cutter. The 51-year-old monk, who had been living in the monastery and had recently been asked to leave, allegedly became enraged and refused to vacate the premises. This led to a violent confrontation, resulting in the stabbing of a fellow preacher and a worker.

According to reports, a delegation of priests visited the monk on Friday and asked him to leave the cell he had been occupying, which had previously belonged to his late father. However, the monk refused to give up his keys and leave, leading to the confrontation. Police believe the intended target of the attack was the Abbot Leontios, who had the authority to demand the monk's removal.

The attack left the 53-year-old monastery technician with injuries to his throat and hand. He was immediately taken to Paphos General Hospital for treatment, where his wounds were stitched and he was admitted for further care. Another monk, aged 27, also suffered a hand injury when he tried to intervene during the attack.

Thankfully, his injuries were not life-threatening and he was discharged from the hospital after receiving first aid. Later that day, the monk was arrested and is now under investigation for a number of serious offences, including attempted murder, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, wounding, carrying a knife, and the illegal possession and carrying of an offensive weapon. Due to the severity of the incident, the monk remains in custody.

This shocking event has left the community in disbelief and has sparked discussions about the safety and well-being of religious figures in monasteries. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to uncover the full details of what led to this violent attack. Meanwhile, the injured victims are receiving proper care and support, and the community is coming together to offer their thoughts and prayers for all those involved.