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The relics, memory and "reciprocity" of the Greek-Bulgarian agreement: Open questions for Eastern Macedonia and Thracetranslated

October 3, 2026 · 1 min read

The announcement of the return of 48 ecclesiastical relics from Bulgaria to Greece is an important event. However, it is also an occasion to examine the way in which we deal with cultural heritage, historical memory and pending issues of the past in the relations of the two countries. In the interdisciplinary program Cultural Memory History Actions, based in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace and focusing on the spatial and material dimension of memory, as well as the study of memory politics, we consider it important to publicly pose certain questions that directly concern the region and the management of the difficult aspects of the past.

On September 29, 2026, the Greek Ministry of Culture announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the "reciprocal 'deposit' of relics of historical value". According to the announcement, Bulgaria is handing over 48 relics, coming from the Holy Monastery of Panagia Eikosifinissa, the Holy Monastery of the Holy Forerunner of Serres and the Holy Metropolis of Serres and Nigritis, which, according to the announcement, had been transferred to Sofia in 1917. For its part, Greece will hand over the bones attributed to Tsar Samuel, as…

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Paula López

I think it is good that they return the 48 objects from the Eikosinfonissa and the churches of Serres, which are part of our always-held faith. But I kept thinking about Tsar Samuel's bones: are we really sure they are his and why does Greece have them? It would be good if they explained that to us clearly before signing anything.

Микола Панченко

It is interesting that we are talking about the kelims from the monastery of Panagia Ikosifinissa and from Seres. In 1917, a lot of things were really taken there, that is known. As for the bones of King Samuel, there is also a question as to whether they are really his, because the story with them is confused. Maybe someone from the program "Actions of History of Cultural Memory" will tell in more detail?

Сергій Лисенко

It is interesting that the agreement mentions exactly 48 kelims from the monastery of Panagia Ikosifinissa and from Seres, which were taken out in 1917. But as for the bones of King Samuel - really, who checked for sure if they were his? Maybe someone from East Macedonia has already dug this topic in the program "Activities of History of Cultural Memory".

Samuel Mitchell

The article mentions those 48 items from the Eikosifinissa monastery and the Serres churches that were taken in 1917, which lines up with what I've read about that period. It's good they're coming back where they belong for the faithful. But like Paula and the others said, I'd like to know more about how sure we are those bones are really Tsar Samuel's and why they've been in Greece all this time.

Łukasz Kowalski

Interestingly, we are talking about the 48 items from Eikosifinissa and Serres that were taken away in 1917 - this agrees with what I read about those events. As for Tsar Samuel's bones, I'm actually not sure if anyone thoroughly examined them before we gave them away. Maybe someone from the "History of Cultural Memory Activities" program from Eastern Macedonia knows something more?

Marek Szymański

I agree, these 48 items from Eikosifinissa and Serres actually match what was written about 1917. As for the bones of Tsar Samuel, I also have doubts - before we hand them over, it would be worth doing anthropological and DNA tests, because there are many legends in Serres and the surrounding area about where they really come from. Could someone from this program from East Macedonia explain this?