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.
Read also
UGCC reps gift Pope with embroidered Ukrainian shirt
The UGCC members said it was important to tell the pontiff about Ukrainians who had migrated to Europe because of the war.
“Ancient Kyiv” head complains OCU barred him from capital church
Roman Malenkov said OCU representatives called him a Bolshevik.
Greek theologian voices support for Sviatohirsk Lavra brotherhood
Theologian Michail Maroudis said it is impossible to remain indifferent to the tragedy in Sviatohirsk and called for prayers for the slain monk.
Several churches damaged by shelling in Russia and occupied territories
Over the course of several days, churches in the Tambov and Zaporizhzhia regions, Krasnodar Krai and Donbas came under attack.
Chernivtsi cathedral cleric comments on commission’s visit to seize church
The enforcement service temporarily left Chernivtsi’s Holy Spirit Cathedral without resorting to force.
UOC left out again as DESS updates list of groups eligible for exemptions
The “critically important” list includes 11,220 organizations, among them 61 communities of the defunct UAOC and 19 pagan groups. Not a single UOC parish is included.