"Killed Monks Buried in Svyatogorsk Lavra" - Monastery Under Fire

The buildings, which are architectural monuments, were seriously damaged with partial fire.

On June 1, at 13:30, shelling of the cells of the fraternal corps of the Holy Dormition Svyatogorsk Lavra took place. Several shells exploded directly in the cells of the 3rd and 4th buildings.

"...On June 2, it was impossible to bury the dead fathers Galaktion, Aristoklius and the nun Varvara because of the incessant shelling. In the evening, the tidy and clothed bodies of the dead were transferred to the Assumption Cathedral, where in the three aisles of the temple the Gospel and the Apostle were read over them all night."

At this time, the brethren and those who moved to the Lavra from the destroyed skete with. The Mother of God sisters were in their cells after the meal, preparing for the all-night vigil of the feast of the Ascension of the Lord.

As a result of the explosions, the dean of the Lavra, Archimandrite Galaktion (Vuychenko), the monk Aristokliy (Khvoshchina) and the nun Varvara (Kisel), originally from Volhynia, were killed. Hieromonk Joasaph (Kochubey), Hieromonk Amphilochius (Besedin), Hierodeacon Alipy (Bondar), who died in the hospital on June 3, monk Spiridon (Yankovenko) and nun Joanna (Melnik), who are currently in the departments of surgery and traumatology in Slavyansk, Kramatorsk.

The buildings, which are architectural monuments, were seriously damaged with partial fire.

Due to the incessant shelling of the Lavra, the All-Night Vigil of the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord took place in the basements where the inhabitants of the monastery took refuge. The next day, in the same shelters, the statutory circle of worship was performed with a luncheon, at which more than 250 people took communion with the reserve Gifts.

On June 2, it was impossible to bury the dead fathers Galaktion, Aristoklius and the nun Varvara because of the incessant shelling. In the evening, the tidy and clothed bodies of the dead were transferred to the Assumption Cathedral, where in the three aisles of the temple the Gospel and the Apostle were read over them all night.

On June 3, at 10:30 a.m., the funeral service took place. The service was led by Metropolitan Arseny of Svyatogorsk and Bishop Innokenty (Shestopal). The funeral service was performed during incessant explosions from hits on temples, buildings and the territory of the Lavra.

The dead were buried behind the altar of the Assumption Cathedral, next to the foundations of the ancient Assumption Cathedral of the early 18th century.

“The shelling of the monastery, in which, in addition to the monastic brothers and sisters, there are about 300 refugees, including the disabled, the elderly, about 60 children (including infants), defies any common sense and understanding. What kind of enemies and to whom can these peaceful people who have taken refuge from the war within the walls of the ancient national shrine of the Slobozhansky region of the Holy Dormition Svyatogorsk Lavra be? The madness of what is happening does not give hope for help from those on whom the end of the war and the establishment of peace depend, and only the hope for the help of God and the Most Holy Theotokos strengthens all Orthodox Christians who pray for a speedy end to the war and the establishment of peace,” the press service of the Donetsk diocese wrote. .

(according to the press service of the Donetsk diocese)

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