Met. Yevlogy expresses condolences in connection with tragedy in Bilopillia

A minibus hit by a kamikaze drone. Photo: National Police of Ukraine

On May 17, 2025, Metropolitan Yevlogy of Sumy and Akhtyrka of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church expressed condolences in connection with the murder of civilians in Bilopillia, Sumy region.

Early in the morning in Bilopillia, a Russian kamikaze drone "Lancet" hit a passenger bus carrying civilians. As a result of the attack, nine people were killed, seven were injured, three are in serious condition. Most of the deceased are elderly women.

Commenting on this tragedy, Metropolitan Yevlogy emphasized that the deceased and the injured "did not hold weapons, did not pose a threat, did not have malice in their hearts – only a trembling hope to escape alive from the hell in which our long-suffering people live...".

"The overwhelming majority are elderly women who have already endured more than one difficult time in their lives. These old women, bent by fate and age, with anxiety in their eyes, went out to meet salvation – and were ruthlessly, mercilessly destroyed by a satanic hand," said the hierarch.

He emphasized that "only those who have renounced the fear of God, conscience, and even the shadow of humanity are capable of this".

"The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground" (Gen. 4:10), said the Lord to Cain, the murderer of his brother. That same blood today cries out to God from Ukrainian land. The voice of Bilopillia reaches the heavens. No propaganda will drown it out, and no false repentance will wash it away," said the bishop.

He expressed deep condolences to the relatives and loved ones and called on the faithful to pray for the healing of all the wounded, for their physical and spiritual strengthening.

"Let us not allow our hearts to grow cold. May our sorrow turn into fervent prayer. And from it – may an irresistible force of love, truth, and victory grow. For Christ is the Victor over death and hell – Truly He is Risen!" concluded the archbishop.

As previously reported by the UOJ, on April 26, 2025, at the Trinity Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sumy, Metropolitan Yevlogy celebrated the Divine Liturgy and the funeral service for the newly departed Protodeacon Oleksiy Kuznetsov.

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