OCU bishop calls shelling of Dormition Cathedral retribution for sacrilege

Culinary show in the Lavra’s Refectory Church on December 13, 2024. Photo: Facebook page of Akim Halimov

OCU “Archbishop” Vasyl Shlapak of Zhytomyr and Polissia wrote on his Facebook page that the destruction of the Dormition Cathedral was connected to “encroachment upon God” by those who allowed entertainment events to take place in the monastery.

According to his reasoning, the tragedy was a consequence of dances, singing performances, and culinary shows being held in churches during wartime, particularly during the Christmas season.

As an example of what he described as “sacrilege,” Shlapak cited a performance by singer Olha Polyakova, who appeared wearing a crown of thorns in front of a cross. The author of the post argued that those responsible for such actions should, at the very least, be subjected to church penance.

As previously reported by the UOJ, a song and dance ensemble performed in the Lavra’s Refectory Church.

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