Prime Minister Antonis Samaras visited on Monday the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens, to attend an event for the repatriation of a 12th century manuscript that was stolen in 1960 from the Holy Monastery of Dionyssiou on Mount Athos.

It should be noted that the valuable manuscript, after appearing in private collections, was acquired by the J. Paul Getty Museum in California in 1983. According to a culture ministry announcement, the J. Paul Getty Museum has agreed to hand over the manuscript to the Greek state in the context of a bilateral cooperation framework signed by the two sides in 2011.

During his visit at the museum, Mr. Samaras referred to the Amphipolis findings, making the following statement: “I only listen to the head of the excavation works at Amphipolis and her findings. This finding is of global importance, far beyond our narrow borders. This is why we have to be serious and reticent.”

According to the prime minister, the supporting works at the tomb will continue until Thursday.

Furthermore, Samaras talked about the culture ministry’s struggle to support scientifically Greece’s demands regarding the return of the country’s cultural treasures, which have been exported illegally.
“It is an effort that should be continued and peak with the Parthenon Marbles, a permanent demand for us,” the prime minister noted.

The manuscript will be on display until October 30 together with another page, depicting the busts of the Twelve Apostles, that was bought separately.

The second exhibit was on display at Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Museum in Athens. Both exhibits will return to the library of the Dionyssiou Monastery at Mount Athos.