A German politician accused Europe of ignoring the persecution of Christians following the murder of a monk in Svyatogorsk

Christian Beare, a German politician from the CDU, sharply criticized the European community, accusing it of indifference to the persecution of Christians. The statement was prompted by the murder of Monk Varsonof (Turyansky) at the Holy Dormition Svyatogorsk Lavra. According to the politician, Europe’s silence regarding this incident reflects a global crisis of identity and discrimination against believers. This was reported by , the website of the St. Petersburg Diocese in Germany.

The tragedy in Svyatogorsk occurred on August 23, 2026, during an armed attack on the monastery, which resulted in the death of Monk Varsonofy and serious injuries to two other people. Commenting on this event, Christian Beare expressed bewilderment at the lack of a strong reaction from the international community, asking: “Why should a Christian’s life be worth less?” The politician emphasized that the circumstances of the crime require a thorough investigation, and that the lack of outrage is an alarming sign.

According to Beara, discrimination against Christians is systematic. Citing data from Open Doors, the politician noted that in 2026, 4,849 people worldwide were killed because of their religious beliefs. In addition to the events in Ukraine, he pointed to regular attacks on churches in France, accompanied by looting and arson. According to him, Europe is gradually losing touch with its Christian roots, which is leading to dangerous consequences for society.

In closing his remarks, Christian Beare stated that “freedom of religion is indivisible,” and called on European institutions to defend the rights of believers, regardless of their religious affiliation, emphasizing the solidarity of the German clergy with the monastic community of the Svyatogorsk Lavra.