Austrian and Swiss ambassadors visit UOC Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa

Ambassadors of Austria and Switzerland in the UOC cathedral in Odesa, destroyed by Russian shelling. Photo: screenshot from the video on the Facebook page of the Odesa Eparchy

On July 1, 2024, the ambassadors of Austria and Switzerland to Ukraine, Arad Benkö and Felix Baumann, visited the Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC in Odesa. According to the Odesa Eparchy, the diplomats were briefed on the progress of the restoration work following the tragedy of July 23, 2023, when a missile struck the cathedral during a Russian shelling of the city.

Assistant rector of the cathedral, Archpriest Myroslav Vdovych, spoke about the history and sacred relics of the ancient church.

The ambassadors wished the Orthodox residents of Odesa a swift recovery of the city's main holy site.

A special fund was established for the restoration of the destroyed cathedral. The press service of the Odesa Eparchy published the bank details and called on all concerned individuals to join in a fundraiser.

As previously reported, the Azerbaijani ambassador also visited the UOC cathedral in Odesa, which was destroyed by Russian shelling.

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