Ecumenical Patriarchate Welcomes Greece-Bulgaria Agreement on Return of Relics

ISTANBUL — The Ecumenical Patriarchate has welcomed an agreement between Greece and Bulgaria concerning the exchange and return of historical relics and sacred objects that were removed more than a century ago from churches and monasteries in northern Greece.

In a statement, the Patriarchate described the agreement as a “beginning” toward restoring what it characterized as sacred items that were taken from northern Greek metropolises and monasteries under its ecclesiastical jurisdiction. It expressed hope that the process would be completed promptly in accordance with moral principles, international law, and the friendly relations between the two countries.

The Patriarchate also recalled that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had raised the issue during a visit to Sofia years ago, when he discussed the matter with Bulgaria’s president. The statement presented the agreement as part of broader efforts to address the removal of historical and religious artifacts from their places of origin.

The Patriarchate connected the development with the longstanding Greek request for the return of the Parthenon sculptures from the British Museum, saying that the restoration of cultural and religious objects to their countries of origin remains an important issue. The statement did not specify which individual relics or sacred objects are covered by the Greece-Bulgaria agreement or provide details about the terms of their return.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the wonderworking Donskoy Icon returned to its historic Moscow monastery.