Two 14th-century icons stolen after Turkish invasion return to Cyprus

Two 14th-century Byzantine icons depicting the Evangelists Matthew and Mark have been repatriated to Cyprus after being smuggled following the 1974 Turkish invasion, the bishopric of Morphou announced on Friday. The icons originate from the 12 th century Panayia church of Asinou in Troodos, which had been transferred to Kyrenia before the invasion, from where they were subsequently stolen.

According to the announcement, the icons were traced to the United Kingdom, their movements documented and the ownership rights of the Church of Cyprus recognised. They were returned to the bishopric of Morphou without compensation, as their owner did not seek payment. The church thanked the antiquities department, its director George Georgiou, police chief Themistos Arnaoutis, Interpol and theologian and iconographer George Petrou for their assistance. The icons form part of a series associated with the Asinou church, for two other works from the same…