Montenegro and Order of Malta to cooperate on putting valuable Christian relic on display

Podgorica, Montenegro (28 September 2011) – Traditionally friendly relations between Montenegro and the Sovereign Order of Malta are to be further enhanced through joint work on the valorisation of the medieval icon of the Our Lady of Philerme. In that regard, Prime Minister Igor Lukšić and Ambassador of the Order of Malta Enrico Tuccillo emphasised on Tuesday the importance of the initiative launched in order to find a place where the icon, which is significant in both religious and tourism terms, will be put on display for believers and visitors.

The Madonna of Philerme is an ancient Byzantine-style icon painted, according to legend, by Saint Luke, representing the face of the Holy Virgin, without the Divine Child. The precious icon has a fascinating history, having changed owners on different continents several times. It has been stolen, moved and smuggled and many mysterious events surround this relic, which not only has religious significance but is also a very valuable item.

With the threat of the looming Nazi invasion in 1941, the icon and relics were sent to the Orthodox monastery of Ostrog in Montenegro. From this time all trace of them was lost until, in 1993, the icon was discovered in the storerooms of the National Museum at Cetinje, the old royal capital of Montenegro.

Bearing in mind the humanitarian nature of the Order of Malta, PM Lukšić and Ambassador Tuccillo also discussed opportunities for connecting two children's hospitals in Podgorica and Naples.