The leader of Cyprus' Orthodox Christian church has condemned a monk's alleged attempt to smuggle the remains of a woman he believed was a saint in hand luggage as he tried to board a flight from Greece.

Police say the 42-year-old monk and two accomplices were arrested at Athens airport Monday after authorities discovered the remains during a security check. Police say they dug up the remains from an Athens cemetery.

Archbishop Chrysostomos II on Tuesday called the theft a sacrilege. The woman was not identified but the archbishop says she has not been declared a saint. Orthodox faithful often make donations to venerate saints' relics.

Police say the three returned to Cyprus after pleading not guilty to charges of theft and defiling a deceased person.