Nicosia, Cyprus - The leader of Cyprus' Orthodox Christian church condemned a monk's alleged attempt to smuggle the remains of a woman he believed was a saint in hand luggage as he tried to board a flight from Greece.
Police say the 42-year-old monk and two accomplices were arrested at Athens airport after authorities discovered the remains during a security check. Police say they dug up the remains from an Athens cemetery.
Archbishop Chrysostomos II on Tuesday called the theft a sacrilege. The woman was not identified but the archbishop says she has not been declared a saint. Orthodox faithful often make donations to venerate saints' relics.
Police say the three returned to Cyprus after pleading not guilty to charges of theft and defiling a deceased person.