Trabzon calls for return of historic Panagia Soumela Monastery treasures from Ankara

The issue of returning historic religious treasures from the Panagia Soumela Monastery in Trabzon to their place of origin has resurfaced, a century after the artifacts were transferred to Ankara.

According to a report by the Greek newspaper Proto Thema , Trabzon municipal councillor Turhan Eyüboğlu, representing the New Party, raised the matter during a City Council meeting, calling for the artifacts to be returned to Trabzon and displayed in a new museum.

However, Trabzon Mayor Ahmet Metin Genç revealed that authorities in Ankara have so far been unwilling to return the items.

“We made a verbal intervention. They are not willing to hand over these artifacts. However, let us make a more determined approach to Ankara,” the mayor reportedly stated.

The artifacts were reportedly discovered in 1925 at the historic Panagia Soumela Monastery, one of the most important religious and cultural landmarks of Pontic Hellenism.

They were subsequently transferred to Ankara for conservation on the orders of Şükrü Saracoğlu, who later served as Prime Minister of Turkey.

Among the objects reportedly removed from the monastery were a gilded crown, silver ecclesiastical vessels and…