The Primate of the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia expressed his condolences over the death of a monk from the Svyatogorsk Lavra

His Beatitude Rostislav, Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, sent an official message of condolence to His Beatitude Onufry, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine. The message was prompted by a tragic event—a barbaric attack on the territory of the Holy Dormition Svyatogorsk Lavra, which resulted in the death of the monastery’s monk Varsonofy, , according to the Information and Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

In his message, Bishop Rostislav expressed deep sorrow, calling the incident a manifestation of human malice and hatred. He emphasized that the holy site, a bastion of prayer, had become a scene of bloodshed. Comparing the monk’s death to the martyrdom of the righteous Abel, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia noted that, despite the horror of what had happened, the faithful find comfort in the assurance that the Lord is always with His people.

“We offer our sincere condolences to Your Beatitude and pray for the repose of the soul of the late monk Varsonofius (of Turyan),” the message of condolence reads. Metropolitan Rostislav expressed his hope that the All-Merciful Lord would grant the Kingdom of Heaven to the deceased and send a speedy recovery and comfort to all those who suffered and were injured in the attack.