'Modern barbarism': Council of Churches comments on damage to Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv
Photo: Russia damaged Saint Sophia Cathedral (facebook.com/mykola.tochytskyi)
Russia has once again demonstrated barbarism, as the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv was damaged during their overnight strike on the city, according to the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches.
As the Council of Churches reminded, Saint Sophia Cathedral is one of the oldest churches, dating back to the times of Kyivan Rus – Ukraine. Its construction began under Prince Volodymyr the Great, who baptized Rus, and was completed in the 11th century. The cathedral is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
"It survived the Mongol-Tatar invasion in the 13th century. Under Joseph Stalin, there were plans to demolish it. The cathedral withstood the destruction of World War II and remained intact. Yet it is only now, in the 21st century, that modern barbarians from Russia — who have no regard for the sacred — have caused damage to this historic sanctuary through a missile strike," the Council emphasized.
Moreover, the damage to Saint Sophia Cathedral is not the only manifestation of such barbarism. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has destroyed or damaged 670 churches and houses of worship and killed 60 clergy members from various churches and religious organizations. Many priests and pastors have been unlawfully arrested and held in Russian captivity.
In the temporarily occupied territories, Russia continues to unlawfully detain clergy of various denominations. Total control over religious life is also being imposed.
"We, the leaders of Ukrainian churches and religious organizations, appeal to the entire civilized world to take all necessary measures to stop the barbarism perpetrated by the Russian Federation — through missile and drone attacks on ancient sanctuaries and churches, and through the abduction and persecution of Christians and other religious leaders for their beliefs and faith," the Council added.
Damage to Saint Sophia Cathedral
On the night of June 10, Russian forces launched missile and drone attacks on Kyiv.
In particular, the blast wave damaged the facade of Saint Sophia Cathedral. Restoration of the shrine may take a month or a month and a half.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, responding to this Russian attack, called the Russian army "fanatics with Shaheds and a red button."
