Two stolen Byzantine icons recovered by Church

TWO 18TH century Byzantine icons depicting the Apostles Andreas and Iacovos have been located in Germany and recovered by the Church of Cyprus.

A statement by the Representation of the Church of Cyprus to the EU said the two icons, which are the work of the School of Iconography of St. Heraklidion, were located in Dusseldorf.

Their origin, said the Church of Cyprus’ statement, is believed to be a monastery or church in the occupied north. Reports suggest they may have come from the Monastery of Ayios Anastasios in Peristeronopigi, Famagusta.

They were taken out of Cyprus illegally and were up for sale in Europe.

Following swift action by the Synod Committee of the Church of Cyprus for Religious Monuments and Relics, Bishop Porphyrios of Neapolis, Director of the Office for Religious Monuments and Relics at the EU, visited Dusseldorf and recovered the icons. They are expected to be repatriated soon, the Church statement concluded.

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