Man and Church
The Killing in Sviatohirsk: What We Know and What We Can Do
The shocking murder at Sviatohirsk Lavra has left many unanswered questions.
At approximately 11:00 AM EEST on Sunday, August 23, a group of unidentified men attacked residents of Sviatohirsk Lavra in the Donetsk Oblast of Eastern Ukraine. One monk, Varsonofiy (Turyanskyi), was shot and killed. Two others, Monk Hryhoriy and refugee Andriy Kyriyenko, were critically injured.
Monk Hryhoriy suffered about four stab wounds, including one that penetrated a lung. Despite his injuries, he was able to raise the alarm. Alerted, the brethren called the police. Kyriyenko also suffered a punctured lung, along with deep cuts to his hands. Both suffered from significant blood loss. They are currently at a hospital in Kharkiv, where they remain under medical supervision.
What We Know
Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra is a large monastery under the jurisdiction of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). It is situated on a high hilltop near the frontline of the Russo-Ukrainian War. Owing to its strategic location, it is currently occupied by members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). It is also subject to frequent fire from the front and has suffered major damage, including the total loss of several church buildings.
