Greece: Police rover stolen religious icon

Police have recovered a revered religious icon, stolen from a monastery in southern Greece, following an intense five-week investigation that involved roadblocks, telephone surveillance and helicopter searches, authorities said today.

The 700-year-old icon of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, credited with having healing powers and performing miracles, was stolen on August 18 from a cliff-top convent near the town of Leonidio, some 185 miles south-west of Athens.