Monastic Art Heist in Kalavryta Discovered

The news in Greek

1. συλλαμβάνω
   κατακρατώ κάποιον επειδή έχει διαπράξει αδίκημα ↩︎
2. πώληση  (f.)
   η διαδικασία να πουλάς κάτι ↩︎
3. αντικείμενο  (n.)
   κάτι που μπορείς να δεις και να αγγίξεις ↩︎
4. μοναστήρι  (n.)
   το κτίριο όπου ζουν οι μοναχοί ή οι μοναχές ↩︎
5. ηγούμενος  (m.)
   ο μοναχός που είναι υπεύθυνος σε ένα μοναστήρι ↩︎
6. δικάζω
   να εξετάζεται μια υπόθεση σε δικαστήριο ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: How many people were arrested for selling religious artifacts in Kalavryta?

Question 2: Who were among those arrested for the theft?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
συλλαμβάνω	arrest
πώληση  (f.)	sale
αντικείμενο  (n.)	object
μοναστήρι  (n.)	monastery
ηγούμενος  (m.)	abbot
δικάζω	to try

Read the full story

In a remarkable breakthrough, Greek authorities have dismantled an organised crime ring allegedly involved in the illicit trade of religious artefacts from the Monastery of Megalou Spelaion in Kalavryta. The operation, coordinated by the local police, resulted in the arrest of six individuals, including the 63-year-old abbot of the monastery, a prominent figure in the local community.

The organisation allegedly orchestrated the sale of Byzantine icons and ancient gospels, with some items having been reportedly stolen from other regions such as Sparta. The artefacts, which included 14 Byzantine icons, rare gospels from 1737 and 1761, and an 18th-century religious book, had been priced at a total of 200,000 euros.

This criminal network was reportedly led by a 69-year-old who acted as the central decision-maker, posing as a so-called “expert appraiser.” The group would locate individuals in possession of valuable artefacts willing to sell them, and then facilitate their sale to anonymous overseas buyers through this supposed appraiser.

Besides the abbot, the arrested individuals included a 39-year-old monk serving at the same monastery, a pawn shop owner and his wife, and a man previously convicted of art trafficking. These individuals were caught after a police sting operation, which involved an undercover female officer posing as a potential buyer.

During searches, the police confiscated a significant cache of items, including 264 ancient coins, hunting rifles, and approximately 12,810 euros in cash, alongside various other artefacts and equipment. The origins of these items are currently under investigation by the Ministry of Culture, with plans to house the coins at the Numismatic Museum for expert assessment and preservation.

Eyewitnesses report that the scandal has sent shockwaves through the town of Kalavryta, with many residents expressing surprise over the involvement of such a well-known local figure. In response, the metropolitan diocese overseeing the monastery has announced the suspension and planned replacement of the implicated clerical members to preserve the integrity of the institution.

The suspects face charges related to operating a criminal organisation and infringing laws protecting the cultural heritage of Greece. They are due in court, where they will respond to the allegations and the evidence collected during the comprehensive police dragnet.

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