The Cathedral Church of the Holy Transfiguration of the Saviour in Odesa was Damaged as a Result of a Missile Strike by Russian Troops : UOC Information Center

Information and Education Department of UOC – OCP News Service – 25/07/2023

Kyiv – Ukraine: On the night of 23 July 2023, an enemy missile hit the cathedral church of the Holy Transfiguration of the Saviour during a Russian terrorist attack upon the city of Odesa. The Information and Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church informs about it with reference to the press service of the Odesa Diocese.

A Russian missile hit the central chancel, as a result of which the building of the cathedral was partially destroyed, as well as the ceilings of the three lower floors, the interior decoration and icons were significantly damaged, and the service premises of the lower part of the cathedral were destroyed completely.

Immediately after the hit, a fire began, which rescuers quickly localised and put out. The rescue works carried out by officials of the State Emergency Service went on, municipal services performed their work.

The damaged shrine was visited by H. L. Trukhanov, the mayor of the city of Odesa, who got acquainted with the process of localisation of the fire and with the scale of the destructions.

A guard of the cathedral was wounded, he was given medical aid and hospitalised by an emergency medical treatment team.

The diocesan press service informed that the Odesa Diocese condemned that terrorist act against the main shrine and the spiritual heart of the city of Odesa, around which civilians lived and which was in no way related to military facilities.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy expressed his condolences in relation to the Russian bombardment of Odesa on the night of 23 July 2023, as a result of which people died and the cathedral church of the city was destroyed. In his word to the clergy and flock of the Odesa Diocese and all residents of Odesa, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church urged not to forget that however horrible this age might be, God’s Love would be victorious in the end, and assured of his prayers for the repose of the souls of the dead, the healing of the victims, and the giving of strength to the faithful and all residents of Odesa to overcome the trials worthily.

Source:
OCP News Service, Information and Education Department of UOC