Türkiye returns ‘Angel Statue’ to Orthodox Patriarchate
Türkiye has formally returned a stolen “angel statue” to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, concluding a legal and scientific process that lasted more than two decades, Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said.
The artifact, originally taken from the Aya Yorgi Monastery on Heybeliada in Istanbul, was recovered during a police operation in 2004 and kept under state protection until its origin and ownership were fully verified.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Ersoy said the return followed careful judicial procedures and cooperation with the Patriarchate, describing it as a restoration of cultural heritage.
The statue was officially delivered to representatives of Patriarch Bartholomew I.
Ersoy added that Türkiye has stepped up efforts to combat cultural property trafficking, recovering thousands of artifacts through legal, scientific and diplomatic means, while expanding archaeological excavations and restoration projects across the country.
