Former Kitium bishop Chrysostomos appeared before the Larnaca-Famagusta criminal court on Wednesday to examine whether his mental state hinders him from following legal proceedings against him relating to rape charges.

The hearing was adjourned until June 28 when the court will hear medical testimony, first from the bishop’s defence lawyer and then from the prosecution.

The criminal court ordered an investigation by an expert appointed by the state mental health services as stipulated by law.

The clergyman was to stand trial following a rape claim filed by a woman, who said he had raped her at his office between April 1 and 30, 2011.

On April 26, before the bishop entered a plea, his defence lawyer Michalis Pikis said that his client was not able to follow the procedure because of diminished mental faculties, and the court adjourned until May 19.

Chrysostomos, 83, is also facing charges related to the indecent assault of a woman that was allegedly committed in November 1981. At the time, the woman was underage.