Repatriation of two missing Holy Icons of the 14th century from the Occupied to the Metropolis of Morphoutranslated

On Thursday, October 29, 2026, the reception of the two missing holy icons of the Apostles and Evangelists Matthew and Mark took place with particular emotion in the forecourt of the Holy Church of Agios Georgios in Evrychos. The icons, which were illegally removed from their place after the Turkish invasion of 1974, are works of the 14th century and come from the Holy Monastery of Panagia Asinou. A litanic procession followed to the Synod of the Holy Metropolis of Morphou, where the handing over of the holy icons, doxology and prayer took place, presided over by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Morphou, Mr. Neophytos.

These are the icons of the Evangelists Matthew and Mark, paleologian works of the 14th century, which come from the Byzantine church of Panagia Forviotissa in Asinou. Before the Turkish invasion of 1974, the icons were taken to the Palace of the Holy Metropolis of Kyrenia in Kyrenia, from where they were stolen.

The return of the two icons, more than half a century after the events of 1974, is of particular importance for Cyprus. It is not just about recovering two valuable works of art. It is about the return of two objects of faith,…