Ecumenical Patriarchate welcomed Greece-Bulgaria agreement on historic ecclesiastical treasures

The Ecumenical Patriarchate has welcomed the agreement between the governments of Greece and Bulgaria on the exchange of historic treasures, describing it as the “beginning” of the return of valuable and sacred objects removed more than a century ago from Metropolises and monasteries in northern Greece.

In a statement, the Ecumenical Patriarchate noted that the ecclesiastical treasures originate from Metropolises and monasteries under its spiritual and canonical jurisdiction.

The Patriarchate placed particular emphasis on the word “beginning,” expressing the hope that the process of restitution will continue and be completed soon.

It expressed its expectation that the restitution “will be completed swiftly, in accordance with the dictates of moral order and international law,” within the framework of the cordial relations between Greece and Bulgaria.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate also recalled that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had formally raised the issue with the then President of Bulgaria during an earlier visit to Sofia.

The Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his satisfaction at the beginning of the process and congratulated the governments of both countries “for what…