Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the Holy Monastery of the Holy Forerunner in Serres for the return of valuable relics that had been taken in 1917.
The prime minister was shown around the monastery by its abbess, Febronia, and the nuns, and was briefed on its long history and work, as well as on the extensive restoration work completed over the past three years to repair parts of the complex damaged by a fire in 2010. Mr Mitsotakis also had the opportunity to visit the monastery’s katholikon, which dates back to the 14th century, its rooms housing the relics and its library.
The prime minister was accompanied by Theologos, Metropolitan of Serres and Nigrita; Lina Mendoni, the culture minister; Tasos Chatzivasileiou, deputy foreign minister; Konstantinos Gioulekas, deputy interior minister responsible for Macedonia and Thrace; and Serres MPs for New Democracy, Fotini Arabatzi and Theofilos Leontaridis.
Return of the relics
“I do not feel that I have come to your monastery as a benefactor, but as a humble pilgrim who simply did his duty, as befitted my particular role,” the prime minister said in his response to Abbess Febronia.
“Indeed, a historical ‘anomaly’ has been put right, a historical injustice, with the return to your monastery, too, of relics stolen by the Bulgarian occupiers more than a century ago,” he said, adding:
“That is why I share your great joy, as well as that of your sisterhood and the thousands of pilgrims who come to this monastery, so important not only for Macedonia but for the whole of Orthodoxy. I would also like to assure you that our efforts and our struggle to secure the return of all the relics stolen in troubled times will remain a constant priority for me. A very important first step has been taken, however, and I am sure there will be more to come.”
The returned relics are two finely crafted silver liturgical fans with Byzantine cloisonné enamel. They were donated by the late Metropolitan of Serres, Gennadios, who also served as abbot of the monastery. A doxology was held to welcome them, and they were placed in a specially prepared space in the monastery.