Adamovka, Donetsk Province, Ukraine, July 26, 2022
Photo: svlavra.church.ua
According to the latest statistics, 127 buildings belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have been damaged in the course of the war in Ukraine since February.
One of the UOC’s holiest sites, the Holy Dormition-Svyatogorsk Lavra, together with its many associated sketes, alone accounts for several of these buildings.
In the latest incident, the Lavra’s St. John of Shanghai Skete in Adamovka, situated just 20 minutes southwest of the main Lavra by car, again suffered.
On Friday, July 22, at about noon, a fire started on the third floor of the skete’s guest house after shells hit the roof. The building suffered extensive damage, the Skete reports.
However, “We thank the Lord that everyone is alive and no one suffered!”
The skete previously suffered from shelling on May 10, when the roofs of several buildings were destroyed, window were broken, and flower beds planted by the nuns were destroyed.
Construction at the skete began in 2007, and the holy habitation was consecrated in the summer of 2018. It’s situated on the site where St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco’s family estate once stood. St. John grew up going to the Svyatogorsk Lavra and being nourished by the fathers there.
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Additionally, on Saturday, March 12, several buildings at the main Lavra were damaged, including the Holy Dormition Cathedral. The bridge connecting the monastery to the city of Svyatogorsk was also damaged.
Two explosions occurred at the Lavra again on May 4, breaking the windows and doors of the monastery churches. Two refugees were also wounded and had to undergo surgery.
It was hit again on June 1, and for the first time, several monastics were killed and injured, in addition to a number of laymen.
On May 6, the Holy Protection Church at the Lavra’s St. George Skete in the village of Dolina was completely destroyed by shelling.
On May 19, the church at the Skete of the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon of the Mother of God in the village of Bogorodichne, was destroyed.
On June 4, the beautiful wooden church at the All Saints Skete completely burned to the ground after being shelled.
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