Sviatohirsk Lavra comes under shelling

A damaged dome of the Dormition Cathedral of the Sviatohirsk Lavra. Photo: t.me/slovortdx

On 11 October 2023, the Sviatohirsk Lavra of the UOC came under shelling, resulting in damage to the dome of the Dormition Cathedral of the monastery, as reported on the site of the Sviatogorsk Lavra.

In total, there were two shell hits – on the Dormition Cathedral and the church territory.

"At 7:00 am, the first shell hit the Dormition Cathedral, damaged the southwestern dome, damaged the hipped metal roof. At this time, prayer singing had just started at the Dormition Cathedral," says the message of the press service. “After a short time (about 10-15 seconds), another shell flew over the cathedral towards the economic yard and exploded in the mountainside above the roofs of the economic yard buildings. Eyewitnesses to the shelling from among the guards and workers of the Lavra said that the shells were fired from the opposite bank of the Donets. By the grace of God, there were no casualties from the shelling.”

According to the press service, the Lavra was shelled from RPGs. By 9 a.m., "representatives of the local authorities and law enforcement agencies arrived at the Lavra and inspected the sites of the shelling and the damage to the cathedral building. They examined the fragments and remnants of the shell, which unambiguously testified to the weapon from which the shelling was carried out".

Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk and the Lavra brethren provide all possible assistance to the law enforcement authorities in the investigation of this crime.

As reported, the UOC cathedral in Kherson was damaged by shelling.

Read also