[MSN] Greek police stage masive hunt for stolen 'miracle' item

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Greek police stage masive hunt for stolen 'miracle' item 

Police today set up roadblocks and launched helicopter searches for thieves who scaled a cliff and stole a 700-year-old religious icon from a monastery in southern Greece.

The Icon of The Virgin Mary, which is credited with miracles, was reported missing yesterday at the Orthodox Christian monastery of Elona, near the town of Leonidio, about 300km (185 miles) south-west of Athens.

“This is the worst thing that could happen to us, our church and our religion,” said Metropolitan Bishop Alexandros of Mantineia and Kynouria.

Describing the icon, which measures 40x50cm (16 by 20in), as “priceless,” Bishop Alexandros said he believed the thieves had used climbing equipment to reach the monastery, built into a cliff-face.

He said they may have been hiding in the grounds of the building before it closed for the evening on Thursday.

Father Nikolaos Sarantis, a local priest, said he believed the theft was well planned.

http://www.irishexaminer.com