A Russian Orthodox church in Oxford has been burgled and several valuable items were stolen, including a collection to support refugees from Ukraine.
St Nicholas church in Oxford was ransacked in the early hours of Saturday, the archpriest Stephen Platt said, and the church safe and money boxes were forced open.
He wrote on Facebook: “I am sorry to announce that during the early hours of Saturday 12 March, the Church of St Nicholas the Wonderworker in Oxford suffered a break-in. A great deal of damage was done, the holy altar was ransacked, and various objects were stolen, including holy relics, crosses and altar vessels.
“Fortunately, although the holy table was interfered with, the antimension and the tabernacle containing the Holy Gifts were left undisturbed. The church safe and money boxes were forced open with violence, and the proceeds of a collection to support refugees from Ukraine was stolen. The church book stall was burgled and stock taken.”
He added: “The police have been informed and are making investigations. Please keep our church and our parish in your prayers.”
Thames Valley police are investigating.
The church, in Ferry Road, is a parish of the Russian Orthodox church. It is thought there are as many as 90,000 Russian Orthodox worshippers in the UK.
