Efforts to repatriate antiquities illegally exported from countries like Iraq, Spain, and others, and found in Cyprus, are progressing, according to Efthymia Alpha, Senior Archaeological Officer at the Department of Antiquities.
Bishop Porphyrios of Neapolis, representing the Archbishopric of Cyprus in the National Committee for Combating Looting and Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Heritage, confirmed that an icon of the Virgin Mary is being pursued for repatriation from Slovakia.
Repatriated ecclesiastical objects are displayed at the Byzantine Museum, with digitisation underway to preserve details of their origin and theft history, said Dr. Ioannis Eliades, Director of the Museum.
Repatriation of Antiquities
Efthymia Alpha confirmed to CNA that the return of illegally exported antiquities from countries such as Iraq and Spain is in progress.
She explained that Cypriot antiquities are mainly repatriated from the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Japan, the USA, and Australia.
Repatriations are coordinated by the Department of Antiquities, Cyprus Police, Interpol Nicosia, the Law Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassies, Customs, and the National Committee for Combating Looting and Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Heritage.
Once returned, antiquities are unpacked, recorded, digitised, preserved, and stored at the Cyprus Museum, where they are studied and exhibited.
Repatriation of Ecclesiastical Objects
Bishop Porphyrios reported that in 2024, 13 icons were repatriated from London and handed to the Bishopric of Constantia. In April 2025, an icon of Christ was returned from Düsseldorf. He also revealed that an icon of the Virgin Mary is currently being sought from Slovakia.
He noted that repatriated ecclesiastical objects mostly come from Germany, the UK, France, Switzerland, and the USA. However, returns from the USA have decreased in recent years.
Bishop Porphyrios outlined three methods for repatriation:
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Convincing the owner to return the object voluntarily.
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Claiming objects at auction houses, where recovery costs are lower than legal proceedings.
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Reporting to Interpol and pursuing legal action for high-value items.
Restoration and Digitisation
Dr. Ioannis Eliades, Director of the Byzantine Museum, detailed the restoration and digitisation efforts for repatriated ecclesiastical objects, which began in 2015 with funding from the Swiss government. This initiative has helped preserve mosaics, frescoes, and other valuable items.
In addition to icons, frescoes, and mosaics, books and book covers have also been repatriated and are now on display at the Museum.
Dr. Eliades also mentioned that the Museum will host meetings during the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council, where representatives will be briefed on the efforts to combat the looting of Cypriot cultural heritage.
