Newsroom
Two Byzantine icons dating to the 14th century have been returned to Cyprus after being stolen from church property following the 1974 Turkish invasion, the Holy Metropolis of Morphou has announced.
The icons depict the Evangelists Matthew and Mark and originally belonged to the Church of Panagia Forviotissa in Asinou. Before the invasion, they were transferred to the headquarters of the Holy Metropolis of Kyrenia in Kyrenia, where they were subsequently stolen.
They were later traced to the United Kingdom and repatriated to Cyprus without any payment, as their owner did not request compensation, according to the Metropolis.
Several specialists and officials contributed to the recovery effort, including Byzantine art historian Dr Christodoulos Hatzichristodoulou, art historian Maria Paphiti, a former head of the icon department at auction house Christie’s, and Bishop Porphyrios of Neapolis, who chairs the Church of Cyprus Holy Synod’s Committee for Church Building, Monuments and Christian Art.
Lawyer George Hatzipieris coordinated the process and dealt with the legal requirements. The Metropolis also acknowledged the assistance of the Department of Antiquities, its director Dr George Georgiou, Chief of Police Themistos Arnaoutis, Interpol and theologian and iconographer George Petrou.
The return brings back two significant works of religious art linked to Cyprus’ ecclesiastical heritage. They belong to a series that also includes icons of the Apostles Peter and Paul, which were returned from New York in 2007.
The icon of Christ Pantocrator from the same series has been preserved, while efforts to locate the remaining works continue. These include icons depicting the Virgin Mary, Saint John the Baptist and the Evangelists John and Luke.
