New church of UOC-Kyivan Patriarchate set on fire in Sumy region

In Shostka, Sumy Oblast, the Holy Protection Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate, built in 2009, was set on fire, Religion in Ukraine reported.

According to the press service of Ministry for Emergencies, the fire began on Aug. 6 at about four o'clock in the morning. Firefighters who arrived on the scene found that the roof of the church was burning. The firefighters used nearly 8 tons of water to put out the fire.

According to the prosecutor of Sumy Oblast, the fire damaged the ceiling and roof, 2 windows, and church items.

As a container of polymeric material with parts of fabric smelling of fuel was found in the place of the fire, it is a criminal case on the grounds of an offense under Part 2 of Art. 194 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Willful Destruction or Damage to Property).

Note that the church burned several times. In 2009 a wooden church was burned. In its place a stone church was built, but it was also set on fire.

In May this year in Shostka the Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall was set on fire. The Ministry of Emergencies called the cause of the fire arson.