More than a century after they were removed, 48 ecclesiastical treasures are returning to Greece under an agreement between Greece and Bulgaria providing for the reciprocal transfer of historical artifacts and anthropological remains.
Today, Saturday, October 3, at 10:30 a.m., the relevant handover and acceptance protocols were signed at the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki, in the presence of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his Bulgarian counterpart, Rumen Radev.
The process follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed on September 29 by the two countries’ culture ministers, Lina Mendoni and Eftim Miloshev, after years of negotiations.
The treasures were removed in 1917, during World War I, and have since been kept or exhibited at Bulgaria’s National History Museum in Sofia. They originate from the Holy Monastery of Panagia Eikosifoinissa, the Holy Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Serres and the Holy Metropolis of Serres and Nigrita.
The 48 treasures will remain at the Museum of Byzantine Culture until November 5, 2026, after which they will be permanently returned to the monasteries and Metropolis from which they were removed.
For its part, Greece will hand over to Bulgaria the remains identified as belonging to Tsar Samuel (997–1014), along with the remaining anthropological material from the four sarcophagi discovered at the Basilica of St. Achillios in Prespes. The remains were unearthed in 1965 by Professor Nikolaos Moutsopoulos.
The agreement, however, does not bring the broader issue of historical artifacts between the two countries to a close. Greece and Bulgaria have agreed to continue negotiations aimed at identifying other objects of mutual interest and potentially including them in a future agreement.
Holy Synod: “May This Be Only a Good Beginning”
The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece expressed particular satisfaction with the return of the 48 treasures, describing it as the outcome of many years of difficult and persistent negotiations.
At the same time, it expressed hope that the Memorandum of Understanding would be “only a good beginning” and that further agreements would follow for the return of other ecclesiastical treasures removed from churches, monasteries and other sites in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
The Holy Synod warmly congratulated Metropolitan Theologos of Serres and Nigrita and Metropolitan Dorotheos of Drama for their persistent efforts. It also paid an emotional tribute to the late Metropolitan Pavlos of Drama, describing him as the “architect and driving force” behind the initiative.
Metropolitan of Drama Voices Reservations Over Return of Remaining Treasures
Metropolitan Dorotheos of Drama, however, has expressed reservations regarding the agreement in a letter to Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, focusing primarily on the prospects for the return of the remaining ecclesiastical treasures.
According to figures cited by the Metropolitan, approximately 800 treasures and 430 manuscripts were removed from the Holy Monastery of Panagia Eikosifoinissa alone. The present agreement covers only 48 treasures and does not include manuscripts or early printed books.
Metropolitan Dorotheos noted that although he had been informed that the agreement represents the first phase of a broader process, he remains cautious.
In particular, he expressed concern that handing over the remains attributed to Tsar Samuel could, in his view, weaken Greece’s negotiating position in future discussions concerning the ecclesiastical treasures that remain in Bulgaria.
Metropolis of Xanthi Seeks Return of Another 50 Treasures
The Holy Metropolis of Xanthi and Peritheorion has also intervened in the issue, seeking the return of 50 ecclesiastical treasures, including manuscripts and early printed books, originating from the Holy Monasteries of Panagia Kalamous and Panagia Archangeliotissa.
According to the Metropolis, the objects were removed between 1916 and 1919, while efforts to secure their return have continued for approximately 30 years.
Metropolitan Panteleimon of Xanthi has appealed to both the Minister of Culture and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, requesting initiatives aimed at securing their repatriation.
The Metropolis has expressed dissatisfaction that its claims were not included in the current agreement. It stressed that it possesses a complete inventory of the treasures in question, compiled in 1905 by then-Archdeacon Chrysostomos Chatzistavrou, who later became Archbishop of Athens and All Greece.
Metropolis of Serres: “From Today, Our Common Struggle Continues with Even Greater Strength”
The Holy Metropolis of Serres and Nigrita welcomed the agreement, describing the return of the treasures as an event of particular importance for the local Church, the people of Serres and the nation as a whole.
At the same time, it expressed hope that the return of the 48 treasures would mark the beginning of the repatriation of the remaining ecclesiastical heritage to the places where it was created, preserved and venerated for centuries.
“From today, our common struggle continues with even greater strength!” the Metropolis emphasized.
Together with the local authorities and residents of Serres, the Metropolis is now preparing to welcome the treasures back after an absence of 109 years.
Official Reception of Tsar Samuel’s Remains Planned in Sofia
Meanwhile, Bulgaria is preparing for the official reception of the remains identified as belonging to Tsar Samuel.
According to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), the sarcophagus in which the remains will be placed following their handover by Greece has already arrived in Sofia.
Following their return to Bulgaria, the remains are expected to be formally received during a state ceremony in Sofia attended by representatives of the country’s political and ecclesiastical leadership.
The Bulgarian side attaches considerable historical and symbolic significance to the return of the remains, which were discovered in 1965 during excavations conducted by Professor Nikolaos Moutsopoulos at the Basilica of St. Achillios in Prespes.
Photos: Vasilis Ververidis / Motion Team
