Rocking monks strike platinum

Greek monks pick up award for rock hit

A controversial group of Christian Orthodox monks have hit the high note with a platinum selling rock CD.

The Free, who hail from a remote Greek monastery, have achieved record sales in their own country and are currently at number four in the charts with their latest hit Little Computer Chip.

Last year's I Learned to Live Free CD has been awarded platinum status for hitting sales of over 50,000.

Against tradition

Although the group of 15 monks sing out against globalisation and technology they have still angered the clergy of the Greek Orthodox church.

The Holy Synod believe the group could potentially destroy hundreds of years of monastic tradition.

But manager Father Notaries Moulatsiotis said: "The Free use methods that may seem unusual to some, but they are the methods for the 20th and 21st centuries we are living in."

Despite criticism and orders to quit from religious leaders the group have vowed to continue, accusing the Orthodox clergy of being stuck in the past.

On the sleeve of the new CD, Mr Moulatsiotis writes: "We must understand that the church cannot just lecture young people... that is not enough to save them from catastrophe.

"We must propose alternatives and suggest the right things for people to do."

All the money from their music is given to the children's summer camp run by the monks at their monastery in the Greek town of Trikorfo.