Donetsk, August 24, 2026
On August 23, 2026, at approximately 11:00 a.m., a group of unidentified individuals attacked members of the monastic community near the St. Nicholas Church on the grounds of the Holy Dormition Svyatogorsk Lavra, according to the monastery’s page on the VKontakte social network, reports Patriarchia.ru.
Monk Varsonofy (Turyansky) was killed in the attack. Novice Grigory and Andrei Kiriyenko, a refugee residing at the monastery, sustained injuries.
The incident came to light around 11:15 a.m., when the wounded Novice Grigory managed to make his way down to the monastic living quarters to report what had happened. The brethren immediately notified law enforcement, and police arrived at the scene.
The brethren of the monastery transported the wounded men to a hospital in Slavyansk, where they received necessary medical care. Novice Grigory sustained approximately four stab wounds, including a penetrating lung injury. Andrei Kiriyenko is in more serious condition; he also suffered a lung injury. Both men lost a significant amount of blood.
The wounded were later transferred to Kharkiv for further treatment, where they remain under medical supervision.
Criminal proceedings have been initiated regarding the attack, and the investigation is ongoing.
On August 23, following the All-Night Vigil at the Dormition Cathedral, the brethren of the Lavra served a memorial service for the newly departed, slain monk Varsonofy.
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