Vadim Novinsky linked the murder of a monk at the Svyatogorsk Lavra to the climate of persecution against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Vadym Novinsky, a protodeacon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and former member of the Verkhovna Rada, issued a strong statement regarding the murder of Monk Varsonofy (Turyansky) at the Svyatogorsk Lavra. According to the clergyman, the tragedy—which resulted in serious injuries to other residents of the monastery—was a direct consequence of the atmosphere of hatred and persecution directed against the canonical Church in Ukraine. Novinsky described the incident as a manifestation of lawlessness and a “satanic” reality that has taken root in the country.

In his address marking the anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, the former lawmaker emphasized that the particular brutality of the crime gives reason to suspect its ritual nature. Novinsky directly accused the government of creating conditions that foster the persecution of believers, noting that the country’s current state is radically different from the ideals proclaimed in 1991.

“We have gained formal independence without real sovereignty,” the protodeacon asserted, adding that the current political course has led Ukraine to war, the loss of territory, and an economic crisis. In conclusion, he called for a profound reevaluation of the country’s path, noting that the blood shed by Monk Varsonofius is tragic testimony to the current state of lawlessness. It is worth noting that during the same period, the country’s leadership—in particular, Volodymyr Zelenskyy—emphasized other ideological aspects in their Independence Day messages, declaring that Ukraine is supported by higher powers.

As a reminder, on August 23, 2026, a grave crime occurred at the Holy Dormition Svyatogorsk Lavra of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church: a group of unknown individuals carried out an armed attack on the monastery’s residents, resulting in one death and two injuries.