Unidentified masked men set fire to Ss Cyril and Methodius Church in Pavlograd (PHOTO)

November 7, about two o'clock in the morning, Pavlograd local residents saw a fire in the Saints Cyril and Methodius church of the UOC. The people who called the police and the fire service also noticed two masked men running away from the church, reports a UOJ source.

"Police and firefighters arrived very quickly, – says the rector, Archpriest Andrei Demidas. – They found that 4 firebombs had been thrown into the church. One of them, which was targeted at the altar, thank God, did not work – the fuse fell out of it. But the other three caught fire, and the church suffered serious damage. Today I have to go to the police and write a report about what happened. "

The fire destroyed the choir with books, damaged walls and church utensils.

According to the priest, he had neither received any threats before nor encountered any hostility.

The Saints Cyril and Methodius Church was built 10 years ago on donations of parishioners. Believers are intending to restore it by join efforts. In spite of the fire, service in the church will continue.

The rector and parishioners of the church ask prayers of the faithful.

The UOJ is following the developments.


Read also

Major U.S. hospital network refuses to implement new assisted suicide law

Advocate Health Care said it would not participate in Illinois’ assisted suicide program.

OCU activists call TRC to service of persecuted UOC community in Kremenchuk

After seizing the Holy Trinity Church in Kremenchuk, Dumenko's followers attempted to disrupt the worship service of UOC believers held in the open air.

Bila Tserkva authorities attempting to seize monastery building from UOC

The Bila Tserkva City Council is attempting to reclaim the buildings of the St. Mary Magdalene Convent for communal ownership through the courts.

Egyptian police arrest Christians targeted in Muslim attacks

Copts were released once they withdrew their complaints against their assailants.

Primate of Macedonian Church congratulates Lavra's abbot on name day

Archbishop Stefan noted the zeal of the Lavra's abbot, who shares the sorrows of his flock.

Persecuted community in Stari Broskivtsi marks patronal feast in new church

The rector thanked the faithful for building a new church to replace the one that was seized.