Zelensky calls UOC for "conclusions" after shelling of Sviatogorsk skete

President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky called on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to draw "decisive conclusions" after the burning of the All Saints Skete of the Sviatogorsk Lavra by Russian troops.

In his evening video message, the Head of State said that "the Skete of All Saints burned down in the Donetsk region in the Sviatogorsk Lavra as a result of Russian artillery shelling."

He recalled this is not the first blow to the Lavra. “On Wednesday, three Lavra monks were killed by Russian shelling. Worship services have to be held in the basement. The rumble of artillery and the 'arrivals' of Russian shells in the Lavra are continuous.”

Zelensky stressed that this is one of the three Lavras of Ukraine. “This is the shrine of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which Moscow still associates with the Russian Orthodox Church. Even this fact does not stop the Russian army. They are ready to burn everything – Orthodox churches alongside anything else in Ukraine.”

The Head of State noted that Russian propagandists accuse the Ukrainians of arson, "although the monks and laity in the Lavra clearly saw that it was Russian artillery."

“I believe this lie of propagandists, this shelling, and justification of aggression against Ukraine by Orthodox hierarchs in Russia – all this should prompt the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to more decisive conclusions and a clear condemnation of each of those who condone aggression.”

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Zelensky commented on the shelling of the Sviatogorsk Lavra.

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