The diocese claims that in Odessa region in December 2015, a number of Orthodox churches suffered from robbers’ activity.
As UNIAN reported, in Odessa Diocese of the UOC, the Holy Assumption Cathedral of Odessa, located on Preobrazhenska street, 70, was attacked by the robbers on January 1.
“The criminals stole the donations of believers who gave them as the gift to the Mother of God in her miraculous Iberian image,” the diocese claims.
It is noted that this cathedral has been robbed twice. Both times the cathedral administration made a formal appeal to Odessa police, whose employees promised to stop the illegal activities of criminals who dare encroach on the sanctuary.
On the night of January 3 in Ovidiopol district of Odessa region, the church of the Kasperov Icon of the Mother of God was robbed.
“Having disabled the control signaling, the criminals entered inside and stole offerings of the faithful to the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan and St. Nicholas icon. Also the alms-box for donations from farmers for the maintenance of the church building was stolen,” the diocese reported.
Immediately after the robbery was found out, the investigation team of Ovidiopol police was called.
The diocese claims that in Odessa region in December 2015, a number of Orthodox churches suffered from robbers’ activity. In particular, in Odessa, St. Iberian Odessa Monastery, the church of the Mother of God "Axion Estin", St. Nativity of Virgin Church in Slobidka, the All Saints Church in Tayirovske cemetery, the Holy Transfiguration Church in Lenselyschei, the Church of All Saints in Preobrazhensky park, and the Church of the Holy Martyrs Victor and Iryna in Avangard village. In Belgorod-Dniester region - the Holy Protection Church in Brytivka village, St. Volodymyr's Church in the village of Zatoka, St. Archangel Michael church on Kozatske village, St. Demetrius Church in Petrivka village.
In addition, the criminals robbed St. Nicholas church in Shabo village, the Church in honor of the Beheading of John the Baptist of Sverdlove village, the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky, Vizyrka village of Kominternovsky district.
“Thanks to the installed alarm panels and effective actions of private security employees numerous other cases of robberies of churches Odessa region were prevented. In all cases the clergy of the diocese appealed to law enforcement agencies, where the appeals have been officially recorded and investigated,” the diocese said.
The diocese has repeatedly urged the police to pay special attention to the disclosure of these crimes to stop the looting.