Kozelsk, Kaluga Province, Russia, June 14, 2024
Photo: optina.ru
A woman who paints icons for the famous Optina Pustyn Monastery in the Kaluga Province of Russia was wounded in a shooting near the monastery yesterday.
The iconographer and two friends were returning home from the Ascension services at the monastery when an armed man came out of the woods and opened fire at them, Optina abbot His Grace Bishop Joseph of Mozhaisk explained to RIA-Novosti.
It is believed the man wanted to steal the women’s car. The iconographer was lightly wounded and treated on the spot. The man disappeared back into the woods after the shooting, but was later detained by law enforcement.
A video appeared in a number of Telegram channels showing a man firing a machine gun and shouting threats. He forced two women to get out of the car, one of whom began making the Sign of the Cross. The third woman, filming from the car, entreated the attacker to stop in the name of Christ.
“Their faith and calmness are admirable. Three weak women defended themselves only with the sign of the cross and invoking the name of God. Remaining calm and possessing inner spiritual strength, they forced the attacker to retreat,” said Bp. Joseph
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