A monk who went to a holy mountain to find peace has been seized by police after a boozy night ended in a punch-up with another brother.
The drunken brawl shocked monastic leaders at Mount Athos, the Orthodox religious community in northern Greece.
The pair, reports local media, fell out over religious differences during a wine-drinking session at the shrine.
One 35-year-old monk from Romania is said to have battered his 53-year-old Belarus brother with his fists, feet and a bottle after knocking him to the ground.
The monk was so badly beaten he needed hospital treatment while his attacker was held in custody and is facing trial accused of causing grievous bodily harm.
The accused monk told holy officials after the beating on 17th September that he had been acting in self-defence.
He said: “I have known him for years. He started at me and hit me. We were drinking wine.”
Orthodox monks from all over the world flock to Mount Athos, where 20 different ministries share the holy community and where women are banned.
King Charles has been a regular visitor to the community, said to be one of the most holy places on earth.
