Ukrainian army burnt down a church in Kominternove

"Something spiritual is happening here, I think. Right after we installed a cross in the center, exactly two weeks ago,

[intense] shelling began. Right into the city center, right at this place! It feels like some sort of spiritual warfare"- tells Father Ioannes who came to Kominternove to help parishioners of recently burnt down church.

Saint Spyridon church is suffering through all years of war. It's shining dome is an easy target for Ukrainian army forces. Walls are wrecked by shrapnel, front door is pierced all the way through by bullets. Four mortar shells landed around the church just two days ago. Nevertheless, few but resilent parishioners of Kominternove continue to come to the church service. Faith is almost all they have left.

This settlement in the South of Donetsk Republic is often shelled by incendiary munitions. Houses are burning almost every night and on the 5th of July as a result of direct hit, roof of the church caught on fire. DPR military and local residents had to put out the fire under the constant shooting from large-caliber machine-guns. It's a kind of a habit here, that as soon as a house catches on fire, Ukrainian shelling becomes more intense to hinder people from saving their homes.

Luckily, all icons have been rescued and services will be held in St Spyridon's churh again.