UOC church rector killed by shelling in Hryshyne village

Archpriest Vasyl Kiyiko. Photo: press service of the Pokrovsky Vicariate

Archpriest Vasyl Kiyko, rector of the UOC Church of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Hryshyne, Donetsk Region, was tragically killed as a result of Russian shelling, the press service of the Pokrov Vicariate reported.

The vicariate’s press service noted that the priest had carried out his pastoral ministry for many years, remaining with his flock under constant danger.

“Fr. Vasyl was a sincere shepherd, a devoted servant of the Church of Christ, a man of great heart and kind soul, and a true friend to many. He selflessly carried out his priestly ministry, supported people in the hardest of times, prayed for peace, and never abandoned his flock,” the Pokrovsky Vicariate said.

The death of Archpriest Vasyl Kiyko has become a heavy loss for parishioners and clergy who knew him as a humble shepherd and a faithful servant of the Church.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that two UOC churches in Kherson were damaged by shelling.

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