UNESCO: Nearly 70 churches destroyed in Ukraine as a result of war
On 23 June 2022, UNESCO published an updated assessment on the damage caused to cultural heritage in Ukraine since 24 February 2022, when the Russian offensive began. As a result of the hostilities, 152 cultural sites have been destroyed, reports the UNESCO official website.
Three-quarters of the damaged sites are in three regions: the Donetsk region, where the fighting is still particularly intense - with 45 damaged cultural sites - the Kharkiv region – with 40 damaged sites - and the Kyiv region – with 26 damaged sites.
Out of the total number of damaged buildings, 70 are religious buildings. It should be noted that most of them are temples of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
"Cultural heritage, in all its forms, should not be targeted under any circumstances. I reiterate my call for the respect of international humanitarian law, in particular the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict," UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said in her comment.
Read also
ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill
Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown
Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.
Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.
Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law
Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.
Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment
The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.
Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful
Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.