Historic Odesa cathedral badly damaged in Russian missile strike

The Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa before the bombing. (Photo: Getty/iStock)

The main cathedral in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa suffered severe damage in an overnight bombardment on Sunday. 

At least one person was killed and dozens injured in the missile strike that damaged 25 historic buildings, according to Oleh Kiper, regional governor. 

The Transfiguration Cathedral's is still standing but EuroNews reports that the building is at risk of collapse.

Its roof and interior, including the altar, precious artwork and gold decorations, were all badly damaged. Footage from the scene shows large cracks in the walls and damaged columns.

People spent Sunday salvaging objects and clearing debris from the church. A service was held outside the building and parishioners lit candles.

"The Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa is no more. That's it," said one man filming a video inside the cathedral shortly after the attack, according to The Telegraph.

"The altar has gone and there are three fires."

Andriy Palchuk, the archdeacon of the cathedral, told the BBC, "The destruction is enormous; half of the cathedral was left without a roof, and the central piles and foundation were destroyed.

"All the windows and stucco moulding were blown out. There was a fragmentary fire, the part where icons and candles are sold in the church caught fire. It was all on fire, burning."

Transfiguration Cathedral belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and is situated within Odesa's UNESCO World Heritage-recognised city centre.

The cathedral's spiritual roots date back to 1794. The original cathedral was consecrated in 1809 but was demolished by the Soviets in the 1930s. The current building dates to 2003. 

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.