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Police are investigating the theft of sacred relics from a chapel in Pano Deftera, a small community in the Nicosia District, prompting an outpouring of grief and pleas for their return across social media.
The relics, kept in a reliquary within the chapel, were discovered missing on the morning of Saturday, November 29. Lakatamia Police Station officers conducted an initial examination of the scene, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities have not yet released information on suspects or motives.
The theft has deeply unsettled the local faithful. On Facebook, the page Saint Ephraim – Friends of the Saint posted a plea:
“They stole the Holy Relics of Saint Ephraim from the Chapel of our Saints in Pano Deftera. I don’t want to comment because I’m not well. I am simply asking for a repost and any information!!!! I ask you from the heart!!!! Thank you, my friends… The Saint will intervene, and He will not let it go like this… Let’s just also lend a helping hand…”
Followers responded with shock and sadness, many expressing disbelief that such a sacred object could be taken. Natasa Averkiou wrote, “Is it possible… what would they do with the Holy Relics? Thank God, we visited in October and venerated them.” Others, like Androulla Louca, called for divine intervention: “May Saint Ephraim enlighten the person who did this to return them to where they belong. How have we come to the point of stealing even the relics? May God have mercy on us.”
Some community members suggested more charitable interpretations. Iliada Xaralambous commented, “Perhaps someone took them to bless a sick person and then return them… let’s not always think negatively; we can’t know exactly what happened. I’m sure the relics will be back in the church today. Amen.”
The reactions reflected both fear and hope, with dozens of commenters invoking Saint Ephraim and other figures in prayers for guidance, forgiveness, and the relics’ safe return. Niki Charalambous wrote simply: “The end of the world. What kind of soul desecrates holy things?” while another commenter prayed, “Holy Virgin, help the relics of our Saint return to their place. May God enlighten them to bring them back. Amen, amen.”
The page later posted a follow-up message addressing the person responsible, emphasizing repentance and forgiveness. “Friends, please help, for the sake of Saint Ephraim, so that his Holy Relics may return to where they belong… We all make mistakes… it will be forgiven by the Saint HIMSELF. Just do what is right, what must be done!!! The right thing!!!!!!!! May the Saint enlighten you!!!!!”
Some noted that while relic theft is rare, it is not unprecedented. Demetrios Demetriades, commented, “It’s not the relics that interest thieves, but the reliquary, which may be silver. If only they had taken the reliquary and left the relics… May God enlighten them. Unfortunately, this is the plague of drugs, etc.”
Despite uncertainty over the perpetrators’ motives, the community has rallied around prayer and collective hope for the relics’ return. Many social media users expressed faith that Saint Ephraim himself would intervene. One user, Marina Constantinou Epifaniou, wrote: “Oh, our Saint will perform his miracle, and they will return ‘home.’”
