Three icons, one of which contained relics of one of Russia's most venerated saints, have been stolen from a church in a village north of Moscow, a police source said on Sunday.
The theft was apparently committed on Saturday afternoon. Priests discovered that the icons of St. Sergiy of Radonezh, Elijah the Prophet, and St. Cyril and Mary of Radonezh were missing from the St. Trinity church in Troitse-Seltso after a service.
St. Sergiy of Radonezh lived in the 14th century and is credited with consolidating the Russian Orthodox Church when it was threatened by Mongol rule. Fragments of his relics were contained in his icon.
Police suspect a local of stealing the icons and a search is underway.
MOSCOW, September 5 (RIA Novosti)
