Sumy Archbishop: We condemn the strike by Russian godless force on our city
Metropolitan Eulogiy condemned the statements of Russian religious figures who call the war in Ukraine "sacred".
During the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, just a few hundred meters from the Sumy Cathedral, Russian ballistic missiles struck, killing dozens of people. Metropolitan Eulogiy of Sumy stronly condemned the missile strike on the city center. According to him, Russian missiles took the lives of 20 civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.
"Today, dear brothers and sisters, we have once again witnessed a terrible injustice against our churches, our city, and our Ukraine. Our service today took place amid explosions. Russian missiles hit the very center of the city, not only destroying buildings but also killing people," said the metropolitan.
He spoke with deep sorrow about the fallen civilians: "Innocently murdered people were walking: some were going to the church, some simply enjoying life, some grieving as people do. And here — bold, sudden death from godless, impudent, and irreligious Russian murderers."
The metropolitan expressed particular outrage over the position of some Russian religious figures: "What astonishes me in this entire war waged by Russia against us is that people who call themselves believers in Russia, who should have been the first to condemn this bloodshed, not only failed to condemn it, but even irreligiously called this terrible war a 'sacred war.'"
"What a disgrace to these archbishops and priests who behave this way, who remain silent, and, one could say, actually gloating," he added.
The metropolitan reported damage to the cathedral and expressed hope for restoration: "Our cathedral was slightly damaged. God willing, we will restore everything, everything will be fixed."
In conclusion, he urged all believers to pray: "We will pray for them, that the Lord strengthens them, gives them strength and healing. We will pray for the repose of the souls of all the innocently killed. I ask you, my dear ones, to pray for this."
The metropolitan categorically condemned the attack, calling it "another crime of Russian godless forces," and emphasized: "These are people who have lost their faith, lost their conscience, lost everything that is sacred to people."
Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Chuhuiv, the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God was destroyed by shelling.
