Metropolitan Theodosiy: Monk’s murder is a manifestation of satanic hatred

Metropolitan Theodosiy. Photo: Cherkasy Eparchy

Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv said that the brutal murder of Sviatohirsk Lavra monk Varsonofiy reflected the same satanic hatred with which Venerable Martyr Rafaila (Tertatska) was tortured to death a century ago. He made the remarks in a sermon during celebrations at the Holy Trinity Chyhyryn Convent on August 24, 2026.

According to the hierarch, 100 years ago Abbess Rafaila was taken outside the house where she lived after the monastery had been closed and was brutally tortured: she was run over with a cart, her limbs were broken, and she was stabbed with bayonets.

“This is exactly how Satan hates God and God’s truth. And people who submit to Satan, who become his instruments in this world, hate in exactly the same way those who belong to God, who live holy lives for the sake of God and His grace,” Metropolitan Theodosiy said.

He stressed that on the eve of the celebrations, a group of people tortured Monk Varsonofiy at the Sviatohirsk Lavra, slashing his face with a knife.

The metropolitan said the incident was a reminder to every Orthodox Christian that they may one day face a choice between betraying their faith and death.

“It will depend solely on how a person lived before that moment, how he confessed the Orthodox faith – whether only in words, for his own benefit, for emotional comfort or because it was fashionable, or whether he lived by the principles of the Gospel within himself,” the hierarch said.

As the UOJ reported, the attack on the brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra took place on August 23, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the martyrdom of Venerable Martyr Rafaila, whose feast was commemorated at the Chyhyryn convent on August 24.

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