East German church recovers stained-glass windows from Russia

This drab Eastern German city, which was almost completely destroyed during the last days of World War II, boasts the most spectacular medieval stained glass windows that any mayor could dream of showing, especially during Christmas festivities.

The windows have finally been returned to their home in the Marienkirche, or Church of Our Lady, after a more than 60-year exile in Russia. At 20 meters tall, or 65 feet, they depict scenes from the Old Testament in fantastically powerful images and strong colors.

In an unusual gesture, the Russian government returned the last of 117 glass panes to Frankfurt an der Oder last month, ending a long diplomatic effort by both the local and the federal government."It is a further sign of reconciliation and the friendship between our countries," Bernd Neumann, the German culture minister, said during the ceremony marking the windows' return.