An attempt was made to smuggle an ancient icon and a cross from the times of Kyivan Rus out of Ukraine. Photo

Customs officers prevented the export of an ancient Borysiv icon and a cross from the times of Kyivan Rus. They tried to send the artifacts to the United States.

This was reported by the press service of the Kyiv Customs. The historical and cultural values were seized.

"Kyiv customs officers seized an icon of the famous Borysiv icon-painting school and 12 ancient authentic items of personal piety and personal use of archaeological origin from several international mail shipments. They were heading from Kyiv and Ternopil regions to the United States," the press service said.

Customs officers added that the icon "The Lord Almighty" (XIX-XX centuries) belongs to the Borysiv school of icon painting. The second historical value is a bronze cross-encolpion (XII-XIII centuries) with relief images of Christ, the Mother of God and scenes of the Crucifixion, consisting of two parts. Such crosses were used in Russia to keep the relics of saints. Both valuables were sent abroad by residents of the Kyiv region.

In addition, another parcel heading to the United States from the Ternopil region contained eleven metal objects identified as: a bronze bulla pendant of the third century AD, which belongs to the Chernyakhiv culture; seven bronze crosses; two buttons from the times of Rus - the eleventh and thirteenth centuries; and a copper openwork button of the eighteenth century.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Kyiv customs officers found a hundred archaeological finds of the 8th century BC - 13th century AD in two international parcels. The artifacts were sent to Germany.

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