Cleveland’s Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church offers $2,000 reward after thief steals cherished prayer plates and relics

Break-in targets centuries-old devotional items kept near the sanctuary

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood is offering a $2,000 reward as police investigate a break-in that resulted in the theft of devotional “prayer plates” and other religious items used in the congregation’s worship life.

The church, a landmark known for its gold domes, has served as a focal point for Cleveland’s Greek Orthodox community for more than a century. The congregation traces its origins to the early 1910s, and the current church building on West 14th Street is widely recognized as one of the neighborhood’s most prominent historic houses of worship.

What was stolen and why it matters to families

Church members said the stolen items include prayer plates—small, often metal offerings associated with specific prayer intentions. In practice, parishioners offer these plates to accompany prayers for health concerns or other needs. Some plates depict symbols such as an eye or a heart to represent a particular intention.

The plates are often made from precious metals, including gold and silver, as well as brass or copper. Beyond their material value, they can carry significant personal meaning for families when donated in memory of relatives or connected to long-standing household prayer requests. Church leaders have expressed concern that the items could be sold quickly for a fraction of their religious or commemorative value, or potentially melted down for scrap.

Investigators review surveillance video and entry point

According to information provided by the church to investigators, the intruder gained entry by smashing a basement window. From there, the suspect moved into the building and forced access through a door in a vestibule area before heading toward the sanctuary. The items were taken from a location near the altar, where prayer plates are kept as part of a tradition connected to communal worship.

Surveillance video captured images of the suspect inside the building. Church representatives said the person appeared to move with purpose and familiarity, raising questions about whether the suspect had been inside the church before during public events such as festivals, tours, or services. Police are using the video as part of the investigation.

Reward and how to report information

The church is offering a $2,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and the recovery of the stolen items. Church leaders have also indicated they want the plates returned to their rightful place because of their importance to families and the congregation’s spiritual life.

• To provide information to detectives, contact the Cleveland Police Second District.
• Information can also be provided by calling Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church at 216-861-0116.

The church has asked anyone with information about the suspect or the missing prayer plates to come forward, emphasizing that the items’ meaning to parishioners extends beyond their market value.