Overnight Shelling Damages Dormition Monastery in Odessa
Overnight shelling severely damaged Odessa’s Dormition Monastery, injuring one seminarian and prompting an appeal for help.
ODESSA, UKRAINE — As first reported by UOJ-Ukraine, the Holy Dormition Men’s Monastery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church sustained significant damage during overnight shelling on January 28, according to the press service of the Odessa Eparchy.
Explosions damaged multiple structures on the monastery grounds, blowing out windows and doors and striking utility buildings. The main church dedicated to the “Life-Giving Spring” Icon of the Mother of God was affected, along with the residence of Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa and Izmail. Hits were also recorded in the monastery’s dairy workshop and service yard.
The monastery greenhouse was completely destroyed, with its boiler, heating system, and glass structures ruined. Damage was additionally reported at the monastery cemetery, including harm to buildings, the winter garden, and an ancient icon of the Savior at the grave of Venerable Kuksha of Odesa. One seminarian was injured and hospitalized, while clergy and novices escaped unharmed.
Previously, the UOJ reported that a Russian drone strike killed Archpriest Georgiy Horbenko.
