Fire breaks out at UOC monastery near Kovel, eparchy suspects arson

Fire at the monastery complex of the Nativity of John the Baptist in the village of Verbka. Photo: Facebook of the Volyn Diocese

On April 14, 2024, after the end of the Sunday Divine Liturgy, a fire broke out at the UOC monastery complex in honor of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, located on the island of Verbka, near Kovel, Volyn region. As reported by the Volyn Diocese, two utility buildings were affected.

As a result of the fire, one of the utility buildings burned down completely, while the other, which housed a domestic church and a refectory, suffered partial damage. According to the diocesan press service, there was unauthorized entry into the buildings.

"Arson was committed after the end of the Sunday Divine Liturgy. Broken windows can be seen on the ashes of the monastery buildings. The abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite Varlaam (Boychuk), testifies that after the service, as always, he personally inspected all the monastery premises – there were no sources of fire in them," the diocese wrote.

Rescuers from two State Fire and Rescue Units of the city of Kovel arrived at the scene of the incident.

"The report of the fire came in at 16:52 and was extinguished by 17:45," the press service of the Volyn State Emergency Service reported.

As the UOJ reported, on January 2, 2024, a house burned down in Bukovyna, where Metropolitan Longin of Bancheny lives. Local residents are convinced that the house of the hierarch was set on fire.

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