Derbent, Republic of Dagestan, Russia, June 25, 2024
Photo: Telegram screenshot
Locals have established an impromptu memorial to the Orthodox priest who was brutally slain in the terrorist attacks on Sunday.
Two churches, a synagogue, and a traffic police post were attacked, leaving many dead, including Archpriest Nikolai Kotelnikov, 66, and a church guard named Mikhail.
Fr. Nikolai, having served as a priest for over 40 years, was known and beloved by many. In the city of Derbent, there is a monument dedicated to peace between three religions—Orthodoxy, Judaism, and Islam. Fr. Nikolai himself was the model for the priest in the monument.
Following his martyric death, local people have turned the monument into a memorial for Fr. Nikolai, placing flowers and candles, as seen in the video below:
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