Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-17
Recovered RELIC
BRINGS HIGH HONOR
Diplomats and ChurChmen
Dine JugosIavian Minister,
Who Traced DiptyCh.
BY GRETCHEN SMITH.

A stolen treasure, whose origin has
been lost In the mists Of medieval days;
a bit of diplomatic detective work
tracing the treasure from ancient Tag
reb to modern Cleveland, and finally
the recovery of the treasure and its
return to its rightful owners, combined
to bring about brilliant aSsemblage
of diplomats and churchmen at q din
ner given here recently by the Apostolic
Delegate, Archbishop FumaSoni-Biondi.
The guest Of honor was the diplo-
matte detective, DIR. L6onide Pitamic,
minister from Jugoslavia. The purpose
Of the dinner was the comforting upon
DR.. Pitamic Of one of the highest hon.
orS of the Holy See, the order Of Knight
Commander Of the Order of st. Greg
DRY the Great, in recognition of his
successful efforts in recovering q
$4,000 diptych which was stolen from
the Cathedral Of zagreb, Jugoslavia,
some time during the month Of Sep
TENDER, 1929.
Treasured 500 Years.
The diptych, which was of carved
ivory, had been in the Cathedral Of
Zagreb for 500 years and was con-
sidered the most precious of many rare
treasures in the Cathedral. It is
claimed that 1t was made some time
during the tenth century, although
nothing definite relative to its history
has been established prior to the time
it came into possession Of the Zagreb
Cathedral, during the fourteenth CEN
fury. In fact, some authorities contend
that the Zagreb diptych has all the
qualities which mark the French
geniuses at the turn Of the thirteenth
century.
During September, 1929, renovation
commission was examining the Cathe-
dral, when the valued article was found
missing. 1t had been taken from its
substituted. Soon after, reports were
received by the archbishop in Zagreb
that rare diptych had been sold by
a French dealer in Paris TO some
American buyers for $4,000, far below
its real value.
Minister Notified in U. S.
DR.. Pitamic was Immediately notified
OF the theft from the Cathedral, and
its reported arrival In the United
States. The minister started some pri-
vate detective work. At first, he heard
that the sacred article was in Boston
Later he heard 1t was in Cleveland.
Last Summer he Travelled to Cleveland
to attend q celebration given by some
10000 or more of his countrymen, now
naturalized Americans, and living in
Cleveland.
While in that city, the minister Wis
tied the Museum of Cleveland, and
there he found the diptych, stolen
from Zagreb a few months before. Dr.
Pitamic not only had seen the article
in his own country, but had also been
sent photographs. 1t was not difficult
to identify the piece, which was graci-
ously turned over to the minister by
Cleveland Museum authorities.
Honored BY Pope.
The diptych was returned TO the
Zagreb Cathedral, and in November,
Pope Plus XII, conferred upon the min
lister the decoration which was not re-
ceived oficially until q few days ago,
in recognition of his zeal and interest
in recovering the article for the church.
Diptychs, described as q sort Of book
cover or a tablet, consisting Of two
leaves or light boards, held together by
hinges, was extensively used in the
time of the Roman empire for CORE
spondence purposes between friends.
DiptychS figured largely In the his
tory Of the church for several centuries,
being tokens Of tntercommunion be-
tween the assemblies of the faithful
throughout the world. BY the middle Of
the fourth century, diptychS were in
general use in the liturgical service of
the church, so it Is assumed their use
was commenced at q much earlier
date.