A monk was killed and two people were injured at the Svyatogorsk Lavra
On August 23, at the Svyatogorsk Lavra, unknown assailants attacked the monastery’s residents, resulting in the death of Monk Varsonofy. Two other people were injured—Monk Gregory and a man who lives at the Lavra.
Monk Varsonofy (Turyansky) was killed in the attack. Monk Gregory and Andriy Kyriyenko, a refugee living at the monastery, sustained serious injuries. The incident came to light at 11:15 a.m., when the wounded monk Gregory managed to make his way down to the monks’ quarters and report what had happened.
The monastic community called law enforcement and transported the victims to the hospital in Sloviansk. Monk Gregory was diagnosed with approximately four stab wounds, including a penetrating lung injury, while novice Andriy Kyriyenko was in a more critical condition due to severe lung damage; both had lost a great deal of blood. The injured were later transferred to Kharkiv for further treatment.
Investigative authorities have opened a criminal case regarding the attack, and the investigation is currently ongoing. On the evening of August 23, a memorial service was held at the monastery’s Assumption Cathedral for the slain monk Varsonofy, according to the UOC website.
As a reminder, a significant number of monks and laypeople are seeking refuge from the war at the Svyatogorsk Lavra in Donetsk Oblast.
