Church of Greece welcomes return of 48 religious treasures from Bulgaria

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece has welcomed the historic agreement between Greece and Bulgaria for the return of 48 ecclesiastical treasures removed from Greek monasteries during World War I, while calling for further efforts to secure the repatriation of other religious artifacts taken from Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

In an official statement, the Holy Synod expressed its satisfaction with the agreement, which provides for the return of valuable religious treasures originating from the Monastery of Panagia Eikosifoinissa, the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist in Serres, and the Holy Metropolis of Serres and Nigrita.

The agreement follows years of negotiations and paves the way for the return of the ecclesiastical artifacts to Greece more than a century after their removal.

It was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni and her Bulgarian counterpart, Evtim Miloshev .

Holy Synod calls for the return of more ecclesiastical treasures While welcoming the agreement, the Holy Synod expressed hope that it would mark the beginning of a broader effort to recover other religious treasures that remain outside…