Missing St. Nicholas Icon Discovered in Greece After Century-Long Absence

A historic religious icon of St. Nicholas, which has been missing from a Florida church for over a century, has been located in Aegina, Greece. Tarpon Springs Mayor John Koulianos discovered the Byzantine-era artifact hanging in the Panagitsa Church during a recent visit to the island. The icon was originally gifted to the St. Nicholas Greek Church in Tarpon Springs by immigrants from Aegina in 1910, but was sent back to Greece in 1923 for restoration following fire damage.

Mayor Koulianos is currently working with local officials in Aegina and church leadership in Florida to facilitate the return of the icon to the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. While the process remains in the early stages and requires authorization from church authorities in both regions, the mayor expressed optimism about the potential reunion. In addition to these efforts, the two municipalities are formalizing a sister-city relationship, with the mayor of Aegina expected to visit Florida for an Epiphany service in 2027.