Serbian priest: Murder of Sviatohirsk monk is manifestation of human malice

Priest Siniša Buvač and the murdered monk Varsonofiy. Photo: UOJ

Priest of the Serbian Orthodox Church Siniša Buvač commented on the murder of monk Varsonofiy of the Sviatohirsk Lavra for the UOJ in Serbia.

Father Siniša noted that today's world is full of trials — epidemics, economic crises and wars, which, in his words, are a reflection of discord among people. "Any faith abhors sins that lead to the degradation of the individual, and we are created in the image and likeness of God... A murder and injury of church clergy took place at the Svyatogorsk Lavra," he said.

The priest quoted media reports that the attackers demanded the monk say "Glory to Ukraine," and he responded "Glory to God." "Now I ask you: does the word 'glory to Ukraine, Russia or America' mean more than 'glory to God'? We must not be idolaters of ideologies, especially we, the clergy. Therefore I say: killing peaceful people is a great sin, an anti-Christian and anti-religious act. What a person is capable of doing, even the most terrible beast would not do," said Father Siniša.

Concluding the conversation, Father Siniša described what had happened at the Lavra as an extreme manifestation of human depravity and reminded listeners that murder deprives a person only of the body, not of the soul. "Our soul will live there according to how we lived and behaved while we were alive. If we forgave, we will be forgiven; if we did not forgive, we will not be forgiven," the priest said.

As the UOJ reported, a monk was brutally murdered at the Sviatohirsk Lavra and two more were injured. The attack occurred on August 23, 2026, near the St. Nicholas Church of the monastery.

Read also