Garden set on fire at Russian Ecclesiastical Mission's metochion in Hebron

A fire broke out on the grounds of the Russian Mission’s metochion in Hebron. Photo: rusdm.ru

On August 15, 2025, a fire broke out on the territory of the embassy church of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in honor of the Holy Forefathers in Hebron, where the oak tree revered as the site of the biblical hospitality of Patriarch Abraham is located. According to the Mission’s website, police determined the blaze was caused by arson.

Fruit trees in the compound’s garden were damaged in the fire.

The flames nearly reached the ancient oak, but thanks to the timely response of the monastery’s residents, the fire was contained with available means until a fire brigade quickly arrived.

Police reported that the arsonists had thrown hot coals wrapped in foil over the fence, igniting the trees. The ongoing heatwave exacerbated the situation.

According to Hieromonk Ambrose (Ignatov), sacristan of the Hebron metochion of the Holy Forefathers, the mission and its sacred sites are not currently under threat.

As the UOJ previously reported, leaflets calling for the killing of Christians recently appeared on church doors in Syria.

Read also

Hollywood Catholic actors remind of the spiritual meaning of Great Lent

Mark Wahlberg i Jonathan Roumie recorded a video message calling for prayer at the beginning of Great Lent.

MP Huz discusses seizure of UOC monastery in Myltsi with Volyn RMA head

Huz demanded that the authorities "resolve the situation" with the St. Nicholas Monastery of the Volodymyr-Volynsky Eparchy of the UOC.

Lviv authorities to allocate UAH 300,000 for UGCC church damaged by shelling

The Lviv City Council will finance the restoration of stained glass windows of the Uniate church after damage sustained as a result of a missile strike.

Yelets Icon of Mother of God venerated in ancient monastery of Chernihiv

Metropolitan Clement celebrated the Liturgy at the Yelets Monastery of Chernihiv on the day of veneration of the monastery's main shrine.

In Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, OCU supporters convert seized church into warehouse

In the Cherkasy region, Dumenko's supporters set up a clothing warehouse in the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands, which previously belonged to the UOC.

Ukraine should allow same-sex marriages for EU accession, European Commission

Brussels has stated that it expects Kyiv to adopt a law on legal recognition of homosexual unions.