On August 8, security operatives with the occupation authorities broke into the premises of the convent of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in the village of Balky, Belogorsky district, Crimea.
According to the report received, these unlawful actions were committed by investigators of the Simferopol-based Russian “Center for Countering Extremism”, headed by Major Vladimir Gorevanov.
This was reported by Voice of Crimea.
The abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite Damian, was forced to suspend the morning service. The “security operatives” explained their actions by the allegation that the abbot was committing “illegal actions” by praying in an indoor venue, which is in violation of Russian law; and that they act in line with the decision of the “Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Crimea”.
“The service was put to a halt, everyone was forced to go out to the monastery courtyard before administrative protocols were drawn up,” said OCU Metropolitan Klyment of Simferopol and Crimea.
The Monastery of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine of Crimea is one of the seven parish structures of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine of Crimea that remain in place and continue to perform prayers in the occupied Crimea. Previously, the OCU in Crimea had about 50 parishes.
