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November 20, 2013

The Man Who Stole the Right Arm of Saint Polycarp Identified


Kostas Zafirios
November 19, 2013

An Albanian connected with robberies is the illicit dealer in antiquities that desecrated the Monastery of Ambelakiotissa last March in mountainous Nafpaktos and stole part of the relic of Saint Polycarp. Police sources said that in the Monastery there were found fingerprints and genetic material of the sacrilegious offender. They also have messages and telephone calls from his cell phone on the night of the theft in the area, which came about after removing confidentiality as requested by the authorities.

Finding the right hand of Saint Polycarp is a high priority for the police, as there is a keen interest in ecclesiastical circles. Senior officers of the Greek Police are in constant communication with Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos throughout the course of the investigation.

The relic of the right hand of Saint Polycarp adorned for the last 500 years the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Ambelakiotissa of Nafpaktos, where the faithful would go to receive his blessing, and it is considered miraculous.

Translated by John Sanidopoulos.

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