**Title: Ukrainian Orthodox Church Claims Soldiers Likely Behind Monastery Attack**
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) has stated that Ukrainian soldiers are likely responsible for an attack on the Svyatogorsk Lavra, a monastery located in the Donetsk region, which is currently under Ukrainian control. The incident, which occurred on August 23, resulted in the death of a monk and injuries to two others.
The UOC identified the deceased monk as Barsanuphius. In addition to Barsanuphius, a junior monk named Gregory and a refugee, Andrey Kirienko, were reported to have sustained serious injuries during the assault and were subsequently hospitalized.
In a Facebook post, Metropolitan Anthony, the church’s executive secretary, expressed concerns about the investigation into the attack. He noted that the case would be handled by Ukrainian military prosecutors, indicating that military personnel are among the potential suspects. "The fact that the case will be handled by a unit, whose jurisdiction includes criminal offenses committed by military personnel, clearly demonstrates whom the investigators are considering as possible perpetrators," he wrote.
Metropolitan Anthony emphasized the importance of an "objective and impartial" investigation, free from political influence or ideological biases. Despite the seriousness of the situation, there has been no public comment from military prosecutors or Ukrainian police regarding the attack since it occurred.
The attack has drawn attention from various quarters, including the Russian Orthodox Church. Spokesman Vakhtang Kipshidze characterized the killing of the monk as an inevitable outcome of a campaign against the canonical church, which he claims has been fueled by misinformation in the Ukrainian public sphere. Kipshidze argued that portraying the church as an enemy legitimizes violence against it, including murder. "We are convinced that the fight against faith cannot be won without destroying one’s own humanity and identity as a whole," he stated.
The UOC has faced increasing scrutiny since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022. Ukrainian authorities have labeled the church, which has historical ties to the Russian Orthodox Church, as a national security threat. This designation has led to the charging of several senior clergy members with subversive activities and has prompted raids on cathedrals and monasteries in search of evidence related to alleged anti-Ukrainian conduct.
The tensions surrounding the UOC are further complicated by the support of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's government for the rival Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). Established prior to the 2019 presidential election, the OCU has sought to assert control over UOC properties, contributing to a significant schism within the Orthodox community in Ukraine.
As the investigation into the attack on Svyatogorsk Lavra unfolds, the UOC continues to call for a thorough and unbiased inquiry into the events that led to the tragic death of Monk Barsanuphius and the injuries sustained by others. The situation remains tense, reflecting the broader conflicts and divisions within Ukrainian society amid ongoing hostilities in the region.