The Greek police detained Hegumen of the Monastery Megalo Spileo in Calavaritwho was going to turn church relics into cash. For 200 thousand euros, he planned to sell a rare Gospel of 1700 And immediately 17 icons.
According to the investigation, the shrine was preparing to go into private hands as antiques. The deal was prevented: law enforcement officers intervened before the transfer of the ancient Gospel and icons.
Classics of the genre: “Buyer” turned out to be operative And the deal collapsed on the approach …
According to information Τα νεαdetained before six The man, including the hegumen himself and his assistant monk Seraphim. The hegumen has already been removed from office, clarifies CNN GREECE.
“The Gospel dated 1700, and 17 icons were prepared for sale for 200,000 euros”,– specified in the police.
The fate of relics has not yet been officially reported, but they, in all likelihood, will be transferred to the state.
The story with the “abbot businessman” has already caused a resonance: The company is discussing again how shrines go to the black marketand monasteries turn into rarity shops. The scandal in Kalavarit was another blow to the image of the Eltskoye Church, where, it would seem, trade should be limited to candles.
Investigators are now promoting a chain of origin of objects: among icons, according to data CNN GREECEthere is at least one stolen from Sparta. If the information is confirmed, the criminal case on the lines archaeocapils (Antiquities trade) will become much thicker.
The result is sad and predictable: when the shrine turns into “Lot No. 1”, the temple ceases to be a temple. And the “price list” on the gospel of the 18th century is no longer theology, but an accounting department.
More Stories
Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotakis discharged from CAT after arm surgery
Fictitious checks for 20 euros and hundreds of thousands of hidden income: how a doctor “burned out” during an ΑΑΔΕ check
The girl who fell into the fountain in Kallithea remains in intensive care: her condition is critical