Priests of the Russian Orthodox Church held a prayer march
in Russia’s Perm
on May 12 to "protect the city" from Ukrainian drones, Russian outlet
Ostorozhno Novosti reported on May 18.
"The head of the Perm metropolitanate held the service
to rid the city of this scourge," the Perm diocese said, calling the event
an "ancient tradition." The diocese said such processions are carried
out "during difficult historical events, major social upheavals, epidemics,
and foreign invasions."
Photo: Perm ROC diocese
Photo: Perm ROC diocese
"In history there are many cases when, through the prayers of believers and the carrying of revered relics, the Lord sent mercy and help, freeing places from enemy invasions, scourges and epidemics," the diocese added.
On May 8, Ukraine’s SBU security service said its
drones for the third time struck the Perm oil refinery and a nearby pumping
station. Earlier SBU drone strikes on oil infrastructure near Perm were
reported April 29 and 30.