Vandals Burn Holy Icons Inside Church in Fokida, Greece
by Bill Giannopoulos · Greek City TimesA small village church in Fokida, central Greece, has been desecrated after unknown vandals burned its holy icons in the middle of the church.
The attack took place at the Church of St John (Agios Ioannis) in Palio Kastelli, the old village of Kastellia. According to local media, the perpetrators broke in, took down the icons and the exapteryga, the six-winged seraphim fans carried in Orthodox processions, piled them in the centre of the church and set them alight.
Photos from inside show walls and ceiling blackened by smoke, with ash and the charred remains of the icons covering the floor.
Discovered by chance
The damage was discovered by chance when a young woman passing the church noticed what had happened and alerted others.
Read more: November 14, Feast Day of Agios Filipos the Apostle
Local reports say the fire was set deliberately, and the incident has caused outrage in the area.
“A vile act”
Achilleas Agapitos, president of the Kastellia Cultural Association, told Lamianow.gr he was shocked that anyone could commit such a vile act.
He noted that the church had no money inside and holds a service only once a year, in August, making the attack all the more senseless.
Who was responsible, and why, remains unknown.
Sources: Lykavitos.gr, Lamianow.gr
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