The Ecumenical Patriarchate has welcomed an agreement between Greece and Bulgaria for the return of historic Greek religious artifacts, saying the deal could provide an example for the repatriation of cultural treasures held abroad.
The agreement marks the beginning of the return of valuable religious and cultural artifacts removed more than a century ago from monasteries and dioceses in northern Greece.
In a statement, the Ecumenical Patriarchate said the process should continue towards the restoration of the artifacts in accordance with international law and what it described as the principles of moral order.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had previously raised the issue during a visit to Sofia, where he discussed the matter with Bulgaria’s then-president.
The Patriarchate congratulated the governments of Greece and Bulgaria on the progress made, highlighting the countries’ close ties as neighbours, allies and members of the European Union.
It also expressed hope that the agreement would encourage other countries to return cultural treasures to their countries of origin.
Among the examples cited was the Parthenon Sculptures, which remain largely in the British Museum in London.
The Patriarchate described the Parthenon in Athens as a monument and symbol for all humanity, saying it continues to await the reunification of parts of its sculptures held abroad.
The intervention comes as Greece continues to press its long-standing case for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures in Athens.
The Greece Bulgaria agreement places renewed attention on the broader international debate over the return of cultural and religious treasures to their countries of origin.
Source AP
