A Greek abbot has made a surprising claim in his defense during a pre-trial hearing regarding the alleged theft of valuable church relics. The abbot, who is affiliated with the Mega Spilaio monastery located in the Peloponnese, insists that the relics he is accused of attempting to sell for €200,000 belonged to his grandmother.
The abbot, along with five accomplices, was apprehended by Greek police following a thorough investigation. All six individuals are facing serious charges, including forming and participating in a criminal organization and embezzlement. They are currently in custody and have denied all allegations against them.
Details of the alleged crime
Authorities reported that the group aimed to sell a total of 17 Byzantine icons and two rare gospels, which date back to 1737 and 1761. The deal was negotiated with an undercover female officer for the substantial sum of €200,000. The 69-year-old abbot is said to have coordinated with auction houses in Germany and Cyprus to facilitate the illicit export of these artefacts.
Investigators revealed that at least one of the icons and both gospels had been stolen from religious sites within the Sparta region of Greece. The investigation, which began in late July after receiving an anonymous tip-off, involved undercover officers posing as antiquities dealers. These officers managed to infiltrate the network through various meetings, including those held at restaurants, rural locations, and even inside the monastery itself, leading to their arrest on Sunday.
Consequences and church response
Following their arrest in the Kalavryta area, the suspects are expected to remain in custody as the investigation continues and formal charges are processed. If convicted on all counts, they face the possibility of lengthy prison sentences under Greek law.
“The Greek Orthodox Church’s Metropolis of Kalavryta immediately dismissed both clerics and appointed Metropolitan Ieronymos to serve as interim abbot.”
In parallel, the Ministry of Culture is currently evaluating the objects in question to determine their historical and monetary value. The Mega Spilaio monastery, known as the “Great Cave,” was established in 362 AD and is built into a cliff face near Kalavryta. This monastery not only houses numerous precious religious artefacts but also holds historical significance as a key site during Greece’s 1821 War of Independence.