Greek police discovered stolen icons and carved wooden door frames of great historical value in one of the monasteries of Attica.
Icons were stolen from other monasteries and churches outside the Attica region. On Wednesday morning, officials from the Department of Cultural Heritage and Antiquities of the Attica Security Directorate, assisted by a team of archaeologists and experts in Byzantine studies, raided the monastery. According to police, the purpose of the raid was to recover church icons that were stolen from another monastery in the province in 2012.
As a result of research carried out on the territory of the monastery, 3 sought-after icons were discovered in the estate, as well as 4 icons and wooden door frames, which, as it turned out, were stolen many years ago from monasteries and churches. The cost of each icon is estimated at 40,000 euros.
Icon of John the Baptist, stolen in Evrytania (Western Greece) in 2010.
The seized icons and other church objects were transferred to the headquarters of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Eastern Attica, since, according to archaeologists, they fall under the protective provisions of the legislation on the protection of antiquities and cultural heritage in general.
The Sub-Directorate for the Protection of the Environment, Property Rights and Cultural Heritage continues to investigate, trying to find out how the icons and objects came into the possession of the monastery. The abbot of the monastery gave a statement to the police, but the investigation continues.
*Photos courtesy of the Greek Police.
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