Russian missiles destroy church in Zaporizhzhia region where the Easter service was scheduled to take place
On Apr. 16, 2023, at around 2:30 a.m., the Russian army launched S-300 missiles at the nearby village of Kushuhum. The prayer house, the main library, and the church from 1906 were all completely destroyed, Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“During the night, the Russians fired S-300 missiles at Komyshuvakha. One struck the church — the main church in the village of Komyshuvakha, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Michael the Archangel. Since it is typically crowdy here, God and our clergy’s good sense allowed for the dedication of pastures at that time rather than a ceremony, according to the Head of the Community Yurii Karapetian.
The temple’s rector, senior priest Volodymyr, announced that the first holiday service was planned for 5 a.m.
“There was an instruction not to hold night services due to the threat of the missile attack. We were planning to hold the service and bless Easter food at 05:00 a.m. Around 02:30 a.m., we heard an explosion. All services have been postponed, and we are dismantling the rubble,” Father Volodymyr said.
