Cyprus repatriates 18th century church doors from Japan

·

Cyprus’ Orthodox Church have had stolen 18th-century church doors repatriated from an art college in Japan.

The two ornately decorated doors were displayed to the public at the Archbishopric in Nicosia on Thursday following a lengthy legal battle.

(AP Photo/Philippos Christou)

Cypriot communications and works minister Yiannis Karousos says the doors were discovered at the Kanazawa Art College over 20 years ago and their return followed “long and intensive efforts”. 

He says the doors’ repatriation sends the message to antiquities smugglers and “the international ring of crooks that however many years go by, (Cyprus) will hunt them down, because cultural genocide cannot be tolerated anywhere in the world.”

Cyprus’ communications and culture minister Yiannis Karousos (yiannikarousos.com)

The artifacts – painted with religious scenes – originally stood in the central gateway the iconostasis of the 18th century Saint Anastasios church in Peristeronopigi.

They were among hundreds of artifacts stolen in the country’s north after Cyprus’ ethnic split in 1974, but no information has been provided on how the Japanese college acquired them.

Source: AP

greek film festival melbourne

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From family legacy to the Federal Court: A look into Justice Anastasis Liveris’ legal career

In an exclusive interview with The Greek Herald, the Greek Australian judge reflected on how he felt to achieve this major career milestone.

The Greek influence on Australian television

Among the many communities that helped shape TV culture were Greeks, whose presence both on and off screen left a lasting mark.

Critically endangered monk seal welcomes newborn on Karpathos island

The first Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) birth of 2025 has been confirmed on the island of Karpathos.

Campaigners celebrate as Milos luxury hotel project is halted

Environmental activists have welcomed the suspension of a controversial five-star hotel project on Milos’s world-famous “moon beach”.

Historic first: Greek chess player defeats reigning world champion

For the first time since the official establishment of the chess world championship, a Greek player has beaten the sitting world champion.

You May Also Like

NSW Police officer Matthew Theoklis leaves behind three-year-old twin girls after tragic death

A NSW police officer who took his own life last month has been identified as father-of-two Sergeant Matthew Theoklis.

Greek students win first prize in Eurostat Statistics Competition

Three high school students from Thessaloniki became the first Greek team to win first prize in the Eurostat Statistics Competition.

AFL ‘Rising Star’ nominee Mitch Georgiades says he’s found new home at Port Adelaide

In a media appearance on Tuesday, Georgiades said he has no intention to go back to his home town in Western Australia.