Donbass, July 15, 2014
Metropolitan Ilarion of Donetsk and Mariupol
“The decision by the region’s governor was motivated by the tragedies that occurred as a result of combat operations on July 12 on the territory of the Maryinsky district and on July 15 in the town of Snizhne,” the press service’s message reads.
On Saturday, July 12, residential houses in the private sector of the Donetsk’s Petrovsky district became a target of artillery shelling. According to the regional administration, 6 people were killed and 8 injured, including one teenager. As a result of shelling of Maryinka (a suburb of Donetsk) 6 more civilians were killed and 4 injured.
“This night there were combat operations in the town of Maryinka. People have been killed… Why is the Lord testing our faith, our patience? These trials have been given us for strengthening of our faith,” with such words the ruling hierarch Metropolitan Ilarion of Donetsk and Mariupol addressed the faithful after a service at The Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in the Mospino village.
“Our faith is broken by transgression against the Lord’s commandments,” said Metropolitan Ilarion. “Just look where man has gone, not obeying the laws given us by God. Absolutely all commandments are broken by us here. And, obviously, these very trials that we are now experiencing have been given us so that we should come to our senses, so that we should turn our faces to the Almighty, so that we should try not to sin, but live according to His precepts”.
In Lugansk July 15, 16 and 17 have been declared days of mourning as well.
Over last three days alone 17 civilians were killed, 73 people received shrapnel injuries and gunshot wounds.
Archbishop Mitrofan of Lugansk and Alchevsk has blessed to perform funeral services for repose of the victims in all churches where services are still celebrated, reports Pravoslavie v Ukraine.
