Two precious icons that were allegedly stolen from church and monasteries in Epirus, western Greece, have been auctioned by a private gallery in Europe, local media reported on Monday.
According to epiruspost, the icons, which were stolen between the years 2000 and 2010, were put up for auction in surprisingly ‘well preserved’ conditions.
“The vast majority of the area’s unique treasures have ended up abroad and are gradually being sold,” the media outlet reported.
The first icon of Christ the Pantocrator is reportedly being auctioned with starting price at 10,000 euros, while the price for the second icon of Panagia Portaitissa is set for 12,000 euros.
Citing reliable sources, epiuruspost writes that the icons come from the Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Makrino, Zagori, where a theft reportedly took place in November 2007.
“The official reaction of the Ministry of Culture and the Greek law enforcement authorities, who have been putting the icon circuit under the microscope for years, remains to be seen,” the outlet writes.
The intense scrutiny comes in the face of stolen icons being auctioned off in galleries in London and Germany only a few years ago.
