‘Last convulsions of the Russian world in Lviv’ — Suspect arrested in arson at church Pope John Paul II visite

Two side doors of the church were set on fire at about 4:00 a.m. Clothes were found at the scene that could have caused the 4 square meter (43 square feet) fire.

The church's security immediately called the fire department. The fire had not yet spread and was extinguished in about 10 minutes. Only the doors were damaged.

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"This church was visited by Pope John Paul II in 2001 who talked with our youth here. Only a bitter enemy of our people could do such a thing. All the guilty will definitely be caught," said the Lviv military administration head, Maksym Kozytskyi.

Police are investigating the church arson and processing surveillance video. Criminal proceedings were opened for malicious destruction of property (Part 2 of Article 194 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code).

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Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi called the arson attempt "the last convulsions of the Russian world in Lviv." He called on Lviv residents to be careful and cautious.

Updated as of 1:00 p.m. — A suspect in the church arson was found and detained, Kozytskyi said. He came from Zakarpattia Oblast.

The congregation of St. George's Cathedral of the Lviv Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine decided on April 5 to transfer to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine