Serbian Patriarch Sends Condolences to Metr. Onuphry After Sviatohirsk Monk’s Murder

BELGRADE, SERBIA — As reported by UOJ-Serbia, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije expressed condolences to Metr. Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine following the murder of monk Varsonofy at the Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra and the serious wounding of two of his fellow monks.

In his August 31, 2026, letter, Patr. Porfirije conveyed condolences on behalf of the Serbian Orthodox Church and in his own name to Metr. Onuphry, Metr. Arsenij, and the entire brotherhood of the Lavra. He said the Serbian Church was praying for the repose of the murdered monk and the healing of those who were wounded.

Patr. Porfirije emphasized that the monastery has served not only as a place of prayer but also as a refuge for people affected by the war. One of the wounded monks had found shelter at the Lavra as a refugee, he noted, making the violence particularly painful.

“Whatever the results of the investigation, we can already say one thing: no person should be put in a position where professing their faith is a condition for survival,” the Serbian Patriarch wrote. He also urged that the monk’s death not become “anyone’s weapon” and prayed for the murdered monk, the wounded, and all victims of the war.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Czech-Slovak Metropolitan mourned the monk killed at Sviatohirsk Lavra.