A small Russian Orthodox Church in Paris was burned down on Sunday as the war in Ukraine stepped to day 54 despite global condemnation.
According to reports, the St. Seraphim of Sarov Church was set ablaze, leading to the wooden structure turning into a heap of ash.
Local administration immediately despatched firefighters, which prevented the massive fire from consuming a nearby workshop and another 18th-century infrastructure situated around the block.
Firemen evacuated three priests caught in the flames on Sunday, the media outlet added. Le Parisien reported that the wooden Sarov Church charred “within minutes” along with all the collection of relics of
historical times.
Fortunately, there were no casualties due to the fire. Forensic experts are currently determining if the fire was an accident or perpetually caused.
It is pertinent to mention that the first chapel of the St. Seraphim of Sarov Church was built in the 1930s when the Russian community of the 15 arrondissements was one of the largest in Paris.
The favourite spot for orthodox Parisians, the church was renovated in 1974. In 2016, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo inaugurated another Russian orthodox cathedral in Paris amid diplomatic tensions with Moscow.
While Russian President Vladimir Putin was supposed to visit the inaugural ceremony, he cancelled after then French President Francois Hollande indicated Putin could face war crime charges for bombings in Syria.
The fire comes at a time when Paris is yet to recover from the massive blaze that erupted and damaged the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral.
