Metropolitan of Khmelnytskyi: The Pain of Sviatohirsk Lavra Is the Pain of the Entire Church

Metropolitan Viktor. Photo: Khmelnytskyi diocese

Metropolitan of Khmelnytskyi and Starokostiantyniv Viktor, on behalf of the clergy and faithful of the diocese, expressed condolences to the abbot of Sviatohirsk Lavra, Metropolitan Arsenii, in connection with the tragic death of monk Varsonofii (Turianskyi) and the serious wounding of two residents of the monastery. This was reported by the press service of the Khmelnytskyi diocese.

Metropolitan Viktor expressed condolences to the brotherhood of the monastery, to the relatives and loved ones of the deceased, and also wished the wounded a speedy recovery.

In his letter, the archpastor noted that the life of a monk is from the very beginning a sacrifice to God, and a violent death within the walls of a monastery speaks of the price of faithfulness to Christ and the Church more loudly than any words. He emphasized that Sviatohirsk Lavra has already suffered losses more than once during the years of war.

«The monastery, which is located almost on the front line, has previously endured strikes, sheltering its residents and hundreds of people who sought refuge within its walls», – Metropolitan Viktor emphasized. According to him, Sviatohirsk Lavra suffers together with the entire Ukrainian people and the Church: «The pain of one monastery is the pain of the entire body of the Church, and we share it together with you».

The Metropolitan assured that the clergy and laity of the Khmelnytskyi diocese join in the pan-church prayer for the repose of the newly departed monk, for the health of those injured, and for the brotherhood of the lavra.

As the UOJ reported, a priest spoke about the last words of the murdered monk of Sviatohirsk Lavra.

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