Israel acknowledges shelling of Greek Catholic monastery in Lebanon
Destruction on the territory of the monastery in the village of Yaroun in southern Lebanon after Israeli shelling. Photo: Orthodoxia news agency
On May 2, the Israeli army confirmed damage to a "religious building" in the village of Yaroun in southern Lebanon during a military operation, reports Orthodoxianewsagency.
The army stated that the facility was damaged during operations to destroy infrastructure linked to Hezbollah. According to an Israeli military representative, there was no visible sign to indicate that it was a religious building. Once clear distinguishing features were identified on another building at the site, Israeli forces acted to prevent further damage to the site.
The incident concerns a monastery in Yaroun belonging to the Salvatorian Sisters – a Greek Catholic religious order. Lebanese sources had previously reported destruction in Yaroun, including the monastery, a school, residential buildings, and shops. A French Catholic organization supporting the monastery accused the Israeli side of deliberately destroying the religious site, however, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected information about the complete destruction of the building.
The incident occurred amid ongoing confrontation: despite a ceasefire that came into effect on April 17, Israel and Hezbollah continue exchanging strikes, while Israeli forces operate in the border zone in southern Lebanon.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Benjamin Netanyahu met with Christian soldiers and called them defenders not only of the Israeli state.
Read also
TRC detains multi-child father and UOC deacon in Lutsk
Deacon Andriy Virny of the Three Holy Hierarchs Church had an official deferment and three children, however TRC employees detained him, insulting him for his affiliation with the UOC.
Usyk: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra proves the antiquity of the Ukrainian nation
Speaking in the United States, the world champion described the Kyiv monastery as evidence that the Ukrainian nation has lived on its land for thousands of years.
UOC priest wounded in drone strike in Bilopillia
Priest Maksym Andrukhov sustained shrapnel wounds to his arm, head and leg; his mother Valentyna was also injured.
Culture Ministry allows possibility of handing Lavra’s “Afghan” church to OCU
The Ministry of Culture is ready to consider handing over to the OCU the Resurrection Church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, known as the “Afghan” church.
In Cyprus, enthronement of new Metropolitan of Paphos held amid protests
The enthronement of the new Paphos hierarch was performed by Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus at St. Theodore’s Cathedral.
Official complains that believers are defending monastery in Kremenets
The director of the Kremenets Reserve complained that a large number of believers gathered at the monastery to support the monastic community during an attempted inspection.