Police launch investigation into attack on Sviatohirsk Lavra
Police. Photo: Ukrinform
The Donetsk region police have launched an investigation into the attack on the brotherhood of the Sviatohirsk Lavra. Investigators have opened criminal proceedings regarding the deliberate murder of a monk and the attempted murder of two other people on the monastery's grounds, reports Ukrainska Pravda.
The information regarding the attack was entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations by the investigative department of Police Unit No. 2 of the Kramatorsk District Police Directorate of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Donetsk region.
Law enforcement officers classified the incident under Part 1 of Article 115 (deliberate murder) and Part 2 of Article 15, Paragraph 1 of Part 2 of Article 115 (completed attempt at deliberate murder of two or more persons) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Procedural supervision of the proceedings is carried out by the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the Field of Defense of the Eastern Region.
As the UOJ reported, the attack on the brotherhood of the Sviatohirsk Holy Dormition Lavra took place on August 23, 2026, at around 11 a.m. Monk Varsonofiy was killed with a knife, his face mutilated beyond recognition. Also wounded were Monk Hryhorii, whose lung was pierced with a knife, and novice Andrii. Both are in serious condition in one of the Kharkiv hospitals.
Read also
OCU opens registration desk for "services" at Lavra
A former church shop at the UOC monastery takes prayer notes and registers visitors for OCU "services".
UOC delegation arrives in Georgia to mark 1,700 years of Christianity
Metropolitan Serhiy of Ternopil and Archbishop Iov of Shumsk concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with Patriarch Shio in Tbilisi.
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates 100,000 UAH for 15-year-old boy's treatment
A UOC eparchy has provided financial aid to seriously ill child.
Metropolitan Pavel leads festive service at Lavra skete
The abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra celebrates solemn service at a capital church.
Pope urges safe grain export from Ukraine
The Pontiff called on the warring parties to ensure grain shipments through the Black Sea, on which the food supply of the poorest countries depends.
UOC believers hold prayerful procession to protect Chernivtsi cathedral
Metropolitan Meletiy, clergy and parishioners prayed for the preservation of the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi and its protection from encroachment.