Odesa Eparchy urges public not to ignore murder om monk at Lavra

Funeral service for Monk Varsonofiy (Turiansky). Photo: Sviatohirsk Lavra

The Odesa Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has called for a public and legal response to the murder of Monk Varsonofiy at the Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra. The appeal was published by the eparchy’s press service.

The eparchy stressed that the tragedy must not be hushed up and that those responsible must face the punishment prescribed by law.

“Of particular concern is hate speech that fuels hostility between people. Words have consequences. When humiliation, insults and the demonization of an entire religious community become commonplace, they create a dangerous environment in which hatred can turn into real violence,” the statement said.

The eparchy added that any acts of violence or hatred motivated by religion must also receive an appropriate public and legal response.

The Odesa Eparchy expressed condolences to the brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra and to the family of the slain monk. It also called on the faithful to pray for his repose and for the recovery of the two injured members of the monastery community.

“Words have consequences,” the eparchy concluded, urging an end to the spread of hostility and hatred.

As the UOJ reported, Robert Amsterdam has called for an investigation into the murder of the monk at the Sviatohirsk Lavra.

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