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2 clusters · 20 sources · 1 days · First seen · Last updated

Greece-Bulgaria religious relic exchange

Overview

Greece and Bulgaria have reached an agreement to exchange historical and religious relics. Under the terms of the deal, Bulgaria will return 48 ecclesiastical items to Greece that were removed from Northern Greek monasteries and metropolises over a century ago, including items from the Holy Monastery of Panagia Eikosipoinissa and the Holy Metropolis of Serres and Nigrita. In exchange, Greece will deliver remains identified as those of Tsar Samuel to Bulgaria.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate welcomed the agreement, with Patriarch Bartholomew describing it as the ‘beginning’ of the restoration of looted items. However, the Greek political party PASOK criticized the government, arguing the items were stolen by Bulgarian occupation forces during World War I and calling for greater transparency.

Following the announcement, the Holy Metropolis of Serres and Nigrita expressed satisfaction with the return of a portion of its sacred treasures. Metropolitan Theologos noted that while the arrival of these items is a success, the struggle continues. He asserted that Bulgaria is obligated under international treaties to return all remaining sacred relics that were forcibly removed from the region.

Entities

Greece · Bulgaria · PASOK · Ecumenical Patriarchate · Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Metropolis of Serres welcomes return of some sacred treasures from Bulgaria

    The Holy Metropolis of Serres and Nigrita welcomed the return of some sacred treasures from Bulgaria but demands the full repatriation of all remaining items forcibly removed from the region.

  2. [CULTURE] 19 sources
    Greece and Bulgaria agree to exchange historical and religious relics

    Greece and Bulgaria have agreed to exchange historical relics, including 48 religious items returning to Greece, a move welcomed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate but criticized by Greek opposition.

Sources

capital.gr · dimokratia.gr · efsyn.gr · iefimerida.gr · ieidiseis.gr · insider.gr · lamiareport.gr · lykavitos.gr · orthodoxia.info · orthodoxtimes.gr · paraskhnio.gr · proinos-typos.gr · real.gr · seleo.gr · tastv.gr · tempo24.news · thepressroom.gr · tromaktiko.gr · vimaorthodoxias.gr · zougla.gr