Boy George returns stolen 18th-century icon to Cyprus

More than 30 years after being stolen during the 1974 events in Cyprus, an 18th-century icon depicting Christ Pantocrator has been returned to its homeland from the home of British singer Boy George.

The relic was originally located in the Church of St. Charalambos in Neo Chorio (Kythrea) and was among thousands of ecclesiastical items looted from churches in the occupied territories and subsequently sold on the international art market.

The singer purchased the icon in the 1980s in London from an art dealer, unaware of its origin, and kept it in his home for 26 years.

The icon's identity was established in 2010 when an Orthodox archbishop from the Netherlands recognized it during a television program showcasing the artist's home interior. Investigations confirmed it was one of the missing Cypriot relics.

Upon learning of the piece's history, Boy George agreed to return it without hesitation. The official handover took place in London in January 2011. The Church of Cyprus publicly thanked the musician and presented him with a modern religious icon as a token of appreciation.

It is estimated that around 20,000 religious artifacts were removed from churches in the occupied territories after 1974. For Cyprus, the return of each icon represents the restoration of part of its cultural and spiritual heritage.