In the early morning hours of 15 August, an intruder broke into the parish Church and desecrated the Holy Altar, Tabernacle, Iconography and the entire altar and sacristy area.
In the early morning hours of 15 August, an intruder broke into the parish of Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Los Angeles and desecrated the Holy Altar, Tabernacle, Iconography and the entire altar and sacristy area. The most devastating aspect of this horrendous crime was the scattering of the Reserve Sacrament on the floor among and beneath the various altar crosses, candles and vestments strewn throughout the church. The Holy Altar itself was pulled from its foundation and dragged through the Royal Doors into the nave of the church, Ukrainian Orthodox Church in USA web page informs.
Father Vasyl Shtelen and members of the parish were able, following the completion of the police investigation and the insurance examination, to gather the scattered religious vessels and items, clean them and bless them through special prayers and sprinkling with Holy Water in time for the celebration of Divine Liturgy on the Great Holy Day of the Transfiguration of our Lord.