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12th century Byzantine chapel cross stolen in southern Turkey

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turkey, Byzantine, churchThe cross of a 12th century Byzantine chapel, located outside the ancient city of Myra in the southern province of Antalya, has reportedly been stolen. 

Demre District Governor Murat Uz said an investigation has been opened into the theft, and they believe the 20-centimeter long marble cross was stolen in the last three or four days, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

“The Culture and Tourism Ministry will make the necessary statement soon,” said Uz.

The theft was noticed by security officials at Myra and a family living next to the chapel.

The Byzantine chapel was unearthed during excavations in 2010 carried out by Professor Nevzat Çevik, a member of the Akdeniz University Archaeology Department and the head of the Myra excavations, and Professor Engin Akyürek from the Byzantine History Department of Istanbul University.

The ancient chapel was restored with the contributions of then Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay and taken under protection with tight security measures.

The 5.5-meter deep chapel is closed to visitors and is covered to prevent damage from the rain.

There are also Santa Claus, Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ figures at the entrance of the chapel.

Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens Hosts “Armenia: The spirit of Ararat” Exhibition

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byzantine

Some of the artifacts on display in the exhibit (CNN screenshot)

ATHENS (ArmRadio)—The history of Armenia is closely connected with Byzantium and Greece, through common course and tragic events. The Athens-based Byzantine and Christian Museum, hosts the exhibition “Armenia: The spirit of Ararat, from the Bronze Age to the 20th century,” organized in collaboration with the History Museum of Armenia and the Embassy of Armenia in Greece.

Director of the Byzantine and Christian Museum Mrs. Katerina Delaporta told CNN Greece that “the exhibition includes 104 items, starting from prehistoric times, findings that emerged from excavations of the Hellenistic and Roman period to digital material from the modern history of Armenia, presenting the destruction of monuments and the Armenian Genocide.”

It is the first time that archaeological treasures of Armenia are on display in Greece. Visitors will certainly find the historic link between the two countries.

Armenians made their presence felt both in Europe and the Middle and Far East and India and China. This geographic expansion of their commercial networks, particularly to the east, influenced their cultural preferences, which are visible on objects in the collection.

The exhibition will remain open until May 31.