Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-12-27

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] LAOS: 'Heartbreak' over tragedy

[02] Priceless icons, relics stolen

[01] LAOS: 'Heartbreak' over tragedy

"We share in the grief of the Greek shipping family. We call on the State to closely monitor the investigation into the causes of the tragedy that led to the loss of so many human lives," LAOS added.

Caption: File photo of Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party leader George Karatzaferis. (ANA-MPA/A. Beltes)

[02] Priceless icons, relics stolen

The theft was discovered by the local priest and parishioners when they arrived at the Church of the Virgin (Panaghia) in the village of Koukouli for the Christmas service.

The burglars broke into the Church from a small window after cutting its iron frame.

According to an initial inventory, the burglars made away with more than 50 icons, several gospels, exapteriga (six-winged liturgical ripidia), chalices, relics of Saints Panteleimonas and Haralambos, and several other sacred vessels, all of great value dated to the time of the church's construction between the 15th and 16th century.

Several years earlier, burglars had stolen the church's priceless Epitaphios (carved bier of Jesus Christ carried throughout the community in a funerary procession on Good Friday).

Police have launched a manhunt for the thieves.

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