UOC's Dormition Monastery in Odesa damaged by shelling

Assumption Monastery of the UOC in Odesa. Photo: screenshot from Odesa Eparchy video

On the night of January 28, 2026, in Odesa, buildings of the Holy Dormition Men’s Monastery of the UOC were damaged as a result of overnight shelling. The Odesa Eparchy’s press service reported this.

According to the eparchy, damage and traces of explosions were recorded on the monastery grounds: windows and doors were blown out; utility structures were damaged; the main church dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” was affected; and the building where Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa and Izmail resides was also damaged. Hits were recorded in the monastery’s dairy workshop and in the service yard.

The monastery greenhouse, where plants for adorning the monastery were kept over the winter, was completely destroyed – the boiler and heating system were ruined, and every pane of glass was shattered. Damage was also recorded at the monastery cemetery, where buildings and the winter garden were affected, as well as an ancient image of the Savior at the grave of Venerable Kuksha of Odesa.

The brethren and novices managed to take shelter in time; there were no fatalities. One seminarian sustained injuries and was hospitalized by an emergency medical team.

Throughout the night, units of the State Emergency Service, police, and medics worked on the monastery grounds, dealing with the consequences of the fire.

The eparchy reported that on the morning of January 28, the faithful are asked to come and help with cleaning up the territory and supporting the damaged shrine.

“We appeal to all our dear brothers and sisters – we ask caring Odesans to come and help clean the grounds and support our severely damaged shrine,” the appeal says.

As the UOJ previously reported, the brotherhood of the UOC Dormition Monastery organized assistance for Odesans during the blackout.

Read also