78-years-old Orthodox priest attacked and beaten in Ukrainian village
July 2, 2018. Prayers are being requested by the Khust Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for a greatly loved and elderly priest, serving in the southwestern Ukrainian village of Chernotisov, who had to be taken to the hospital recently after suffering a beating at the hands of unknown assailants, the site of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church reports.
The beating of reported 78-year-old Archpriest Ephraim Rosokhi of the Holy Ascension Cathedral was reported by “Transcarpathian News” on June 27. Secretary of the Khust Diocese Archpriest John Rozman later reported that Fr. Eugene was taken to the hospital after serving Liturgy the morning after the attack.
Parishioners at the Liturgy did not immediately realize something was wrong, but noticed that Fr. Eugene became confused towards the end of the service. Afterwards, they called an ambulance for him. He was diagnosed with a closed craniocerebral trauma with a mild brain injury, as well as hematomas and fractured bones on his face. Doctors have reported that his condition is stable.
Archpriest Ephraim has served in the village for more than 30 years. He beautified the church and the territory around it, and most importantly, has been a champion for Orthodoxy all these years.
“Fr. Ephraim is loved and respected in the village. He is a living sermon. The church remains Orthodox to this day thanks to his authority. It was especially difficult in the 1990s, when the Greek Catholics were seizing our churches throughout Transcarpathia. He managed not only to preserve, but also to increase his flock. Practically the entire village gathers in the church where he is the rector,” the diocesan secretary said.
It is suspected that the assailants didn’t know Fr. Eugene but were simply looking for money. In the end, they left his home with almost nothing.
A police investigation is underway.
“We earnestly ask for prayers for the speedy recovery of Archpriest Ephraim,” the diocesan representative said in address to all the clergy and faithful of the Khust Diocese.
Photo document from “Transcarpathian News”
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