Greece and Bulgaria have reached a historic agreement for the reciprocal transfer of cultural and religious treasures, paving the way for the return of 48 ecclesiastical artifacts removed from Greek monasteries during World War I in exchange for the remains of Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria.
According to an announcement by the Greek Ministry of Culture, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and her Bulgarian counterpart, Evtim Miloshev, signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the reciprocal deposit of the historical artifacts, concluding negotiations that have been underway for more than a decade.
The Greek Ministry of Culture described the agreement as a development of historic significance, following years of systematic efforts by both countries.
Forty-eight Orthodox religious treasures to return to Greek monasteries
Under the agreement, Bulgaria will return 48 valuable ecclesiastical artifacts originating from the Monastery of Panagia Eikosifoinissa on Mount Pangaion, the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist in Serres, and the Holy Metropolis of Serres and Nigrita.
The treasures were taken to Sofia in 1917, during World War I, and have since been preserved or exhibited at Bulgaria’s National Museum of History.
Their return marks a significant development for the two historic monasteries and the local Orthodox Church, as the artifacts will eventually be returned to the ecclesiastical institutions from which they originated.
Remains of Tsar Samuel to be transferred to Bulgaria
In exchange, Greece will transfer to Bulgaria the remains identified as belonging to Tsar Samuel, who ruled from 997 to 1014.
The remains were discovered in 1965 by Professor Nikolaos Moutsopoulos at the Basilica of Saint Achilleios in Prespa and have been housed at the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki.
The agreement also provides for the transfer of the remaining anthropological material discovered in the four sarcophagi inside the basilica.
Both countries have agreed to continue negotiations concerning additional historical artifacts of mutual interest that have not been included in the present agreement.
Official handover scheduled for October 3 in Thessaloniki
According to the Greek Ministry of Culture, the relevant protocols are scheduled to be signed on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki, in the presence of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev.
The 48 ecclesiastical treasures returning from Bulgaria will be exhibited at the museum until November 5, 2026, allowing the public to view them before they are returned to their original locations.
Following the exhibition, the artifacts will be handed over to the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist in Serres, the Monastery of Panagia Eikosifoinissa and the Holy Metropolis of Serres and Nigrita, according to their provenance.
