The British Library handed over to the Greek Embassy in London three relics, which were confirmed to have been illegally removed from Panagia Chrysopodaritissa Monastery in Achaia in April 1979.
According to ANA-MPA, it is about two Patriarchal sigillia of the 18th century, issued by the Ecumenical Patriarchs, Procopius I (1786) and Gregory V (1798), that proclaimed the patriarchal value of this Monastery, and about a Turkish firman of the 18th century, belonging to the same collection.
In 2016, the competent Achaia Ephorate of Antiquities informed the Directorate of Monuments, Documentation National Archive Management & Cultural Goods Protection of the Directorate General of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture and Sports about locating these relics at the British Library.
Directly and systematically, the Directorate of Monuments, Documentation National Archive Management & Cultural Goods Protection collected all the necessary information that have securely documented the illicit trafficking of heirlooms and sent a request to the British Library to return them.
The competent British Library staff responded immediately and cooperated excellently with the relevant Greek Authorities for the safe return of the heirlooms to Greece, showing their interest in protecting the cultural heritage.