French delegation visits shelled Cathedral of UOC in Odesa

French delegation at the Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC in Odesa. Photo: screenshot from Facebook video of the Odesa Eparchy

On April 12, 2024, the Transfiguration of the Saviour Cathedral of the UOC in Odesa was visited by a French delegation led by the Ambassador for Eastern Partnership and the Black Sea, Mikael Ru, the press service of the Odesa Eparchy reported.

The priests of the UOC acquainted the delegates with the history of the shrine and answered their questions about the tragedy of July 23, 2023, when during a Russian shelling of the city, a rocket hit the Transfiguration of the Saviour Cathedral.

The Odesa Eparchy informed the guests that the cathedral suffered significant damage, but the restoration of the shrine continues.

According to the clergy, the promised assistance from foreign benefactors has not yet arrived, and all repair work is carried out thanks to believers, funds from the Odessa Eparchy, and all stakeholders.

"We thank you for your help and participation in the restoration of the spiritual center of the South of our State. We pray and believe that the Lord will help us complete this task," the message said.

The diocese's press service also published details for anyone willing to help in the restoration of the cathedral.

As reported by the UOJ, earlier a delegation of congressmen and a senator from the USA visited the UOC cathedral in Odesa. In March, the mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov said that the government of Italy had allocated 500 thousand euros for the restoration of the Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC in Odesa.

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