Department for External Church Relations
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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: AFU attack on the church in Belgorod region indicates lack of Christian faith of those who committed it
On 3rd May 2025, drones of the Armed Forces of Ukraine attacked the Church of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victory-Bearer in Tolokonnoye village, Belgorod region, which is located 8 km from the border with Ukraine.
As Metropolitan Ioann of Belgorod and Stary Oskol reported to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, “all church domes caught fire and burnt down, but the stone vaults did not collapse and the church’s interior decoration remained intact.”
“Remotely piloted vehicles and drones are highly active in their attacks at the moment, which makes it impossible to start restoring the domes and the roof of the church in the near future. Currently under consideration is a possibility of conserving the church vaults to protect them from the atmospheric precipitates forecast for next week. We will begin restoration works in the church at the first opportunity,” the head of the Belgorod Metropolia also wrote.
The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church wrote in reply to Metropolitan Ioann: “It grieved me to learn of the attack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the Church of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victory-Bearer in Tolokonnoye village, Belgorod district. This godless barbaric act indicates that those who committed it have neither Christian faith nor respect for religious feelings of the faithful. And how can these people, who have such savage mores, integrate into the European society, as their dream is, and how can Europeans turn a blind eye to the crimes that are being committed and not subject to lawful denunciation those who are committing them!”
“We will pray to the All-Merciful Lord that He may keep your flock alive and in good health. And may He grant you bodily strength and fortitude,” His Holiness Patriarch Kirill concluded.
Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’
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