A hierarch of the Bulgarian Church expressed his condolences to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church following the fire at the Cathedral of the Dormition at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Metropolitan Cyprian of Stara Zagora expressed his sympathy to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the monastic community of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in connection with the fire at the Cathedral of the Dormition, which occurred following a massive strike on Kyiv on the night of June 15. The hierarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church called the incident a blow to the very soul of the Orthodox world.

According to the press service of the Stara Zagora Diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, on June 17, 2026, Metropolitan Cyprian of Stara Zagora sent letters of support to the leadership of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and to the rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy. In his messages, he expressed deep sympathy regarding the tragic events that affected both the residents of the Ukrainian capital and one of the main holy sites of the Orthodox world.

His Eminence noted that the news of the massive strike on Kyiv, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of people, came as a severe shock to the Christian world. He said that the news of the fire at the Assumption Cathedral—an ancient shrine, a symbol of Ukraine, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—caused him particular pain.

“This is not merely an attack on an architectural monument, but a blow against the very soul of the Orthodox world,” wrote Metropolitan Cyprian. He emphasized that, as a brother in Christ, he shares in the grief of the flock of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and prays for the repose of the souls of those who perished and for the healing of the injured.

The hierarch of the Bulgarian Church also thanked the rescue workers and firefighters who helped battle the blaze on the Lavra’s grounds. He expressed confidence that the ancient monastery, having weathered many trials throughout its history, will be able to recover and once again become a place of prayer and spiritual solace.