Abbot Arrested for Attempting to Sell Byzantine Artifacts
September 8, 2025
In Kalavryta, the abbot of the Cave Monastery and his assistant were arrested for planning to sell 17 Byzantine icons and two 18th-century Gospels. The clergyman was asking for €200,000 for the artifacts, one of which was reportedly stolen from Sparta. The arrest occurred during an organized police operation, where a female officer posed as a potential buyer. The confiscated items are now being examined by experts from the Ministry of Culture to verify their authenticity. This process highlights the importance of protecting cultural heritage.