Columbus, Ohio, June 1, 2018
Photo: abc6onyourside.com Columbus, Ohio police caught a man red-handed on Saturday as he was busy causing $100,000 in damage to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
30-year-old Christian Mayerchak from nearby Blacklick managed to destroy a pew, a Gospel stand, Gospel book, vestments, altar candlesticks, tabernacle, censer and stand, processional fans, and a hand cross before police arrived to find him taking a $40,000 stained glass window apart in the holy altar, reports ABC6 in Columbus.
A caller to 911 reported that Mayerchak appeared intoxicated and refused to leave the church, reports nbc4i.com.
According to texasgospel.org, Mayerchak’s vandalism was caught on surveillance video, and a video from NBC4 shows his arrest and the extent of the damage in the altar:
Mayerchak began kicking the doors of the police car, so his legs had to be restrained in addition to being handcuffed. He has been charged with vandalism.
Fr. Demetrios Gardikes of the Annunciation Cathedral has released a statement:
On May 26 at approximately 5:30 PM, an individual was able to gain access into the Cathedral where he proceeded to damage a number of items in the altar area and upon the altar table – including the tabernacle, a stained glass window, the fans carried by the altar boys and more. Additionally, most (if not all) of the vigil candles were broken. Due to the cleanup efforts of our clergy and others, Divine Liturgy took place on May 27 (Pentecost) as planned.
The security cameras in the Cathedral, the alarm system and our on-site monitor captured the crime in progress and the Columbus Police Department was called. Thanks to CPD’s quick response, the individual was arrested while still in the act of vandalizing the Cathedral. We ask that you please pray for this individual, that he may see his erroneous ways and seek forgiveness.
At this time, the full extent of the damages are still being assessed and understood in part because the vandalism took place over a holiday weekend. We will continue to update the parish family as more information becomes available. This unfortunate incident is a reminder to us all that our Cathedral property is situated in a high-traffic area of Columbus. It is critical that we all remain vigilant, make sure doors are closed and locked and follow the axiom “if you see something, say something.”
In Christ,
Fr. Demetrios Gardikes
Dean of the Cathedral
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