Ohrid reliquary reportedly handed to Greece amid controversy over bones attributed to Tsar Samuil

A regional controversy has erupted after claims that a priceless reliquary taken from Ohrid was included among 53 church objects Bulgaria recently returned to Greece as part of the transfer connected to the remains of Tsar Samuil.

What was allegedly moved

Bulgarian journalist and historian Goran Blagoev warned that among the items handed over to Greece sits a silver reliquary containing relics of Saint Matrona, originally from the Church of the Virgin Perivlepta in Ohrid. Historical documents show the object was removed in 1916 and sent to Sofia for "temporary safekeeping."

The official act dated 28 November 1916, signed by local authorities and Metropolitan Boris, lists under number 10 a "large silver box with relics of Saint Matrona." The same reliquary has been kept for decades in the National Historical Museum in Sofia and catalogued as a relic from 1798.

Alongside the dispute over the reliquary, controversy has mounted about the bones identified as those of Tsar Samuil. While Bulgarian officials marked the return ceremony with high state and military honours, experts — both in Bulgaria and abroad — point out there is no decisive DNA confirmation of authenticity. Anthropological data cited in public discussion indicate the remains came from a person approximately 155 centimetres tall.

Public reaction in the region has been immediate. Critics say that if the object from the Ohrid treasury is confirmed among the transferred items, it must be returned immediately to its rightful home in historic Ohrid.

Voices on social media captured the polarized atmosphere: one user wrote, "After more than 1,000 years, Tsar (King) Samuil is returning home. May God protect Bulgaria." Another noted doubts about the bones and raised sarcastic theories, while a separate comment accused the exchange of being "DIVIDED BY BOARDERS, UNITED BY THEFT" and tagged Macedonian officials.

Photo: Nacionalen muzej na Bugarija