Theft at Holy Mountain Grabarka

Polish Orthodox Church – 12/1/13

On the night of 8 to 9 January a theft has been carried out at Holy Mountain Grabarka. Someone or several persons broke into the church of the Holy Transfiguration, from which were stolen votive offerings. They were placed before Iverion Holy Mother of God icon.  Among others silver and gold chains are missing.

According to Gregory Gilar of the Poviat Police Headquarters in Siemiatycze, the burglary took place on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday (from 8 to 9 January). The theft was reported to the police on Wednesday in the morning by nuns living on the Holy Mount.

The preliminary findings show that the thieves or thief – because we are not sure whether it was one person or several people – entered the church with a ladder used for the renovation of the other church. First, they got to the belfry, and then to the nave – reports Gregory Gilar of Podlasie police. – Votive offerings were stolen: gold and silver necklaces with medallions, donated by the believers visiting Grabarka. It is difficult to estimate their value.

Police are investigating the matter and asked to contact all people who could help determine the perpetrators of this theft.

It certainly was not a believer. I am very sorry that once again someone raised a hand to a place of worship which is very important for the Orthodox – says Vice Mayor of Bialystok Aleksander Sosna, who is also advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland in matters of Orthodox believers.