Priceless artifact taken during World War I
The manuscript, known as "Evangelistary Manuscript 220," was one of many artifacts and priceless pieces stolen from the Theotokos Eikosiphoinissa Monastery in Greece during World War I. Bulgarian troops allegedly took the manuscript in 1917.
According to The Christian Post, in 2011, the Museum of the Bible bought the manuscript at a Christie's auction. In 2020, the museum said they would return the manuscript, but Greece said the museum could display it until October 2021.
This week, Museum of the Bible Founder Steve Green formally returned the piece. The ceremony was officiated by archbishop Elpidophoros of America and attended by Agathangelos Siskos, archivist of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Green was awarded the highest honor of Metropolis of Drama, the "Grand Cross," by Metropolitan Panteleimon of Xanthi. "We are honored to partner with the Ecumenical Patriarch on a permanent exhibition of biblical manuscripts and religious objects connected to the Bible," Green said in a statement sent to The Christian Post.
In a released statement, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the world leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church, said he was thankful to the Museum of the Bible.