A Russian Orthodox monk serving as an assistant to the rector of a military church was killed in a drone strike in the Troitsky District of the Luhansk People’s Republic, while the church’s rector was injured in the attack, according to the Moscow Patriarchate.

The attack took place on July 28, when a U.S.-made Hornet drone struck a Niva vehicle carrying the clergy members. Monk Raphael (in the world, Mikhail Anisimov) died as a result of the strike, while Hieromonk Hilarion (Kachur) suffered shrapnel wounds to his leg and was taken for medical treatment.

Monk Raphael was born in 1958 in Abkhazia. In 2010, he became a novice at the St. John the Theologian Cheremenets Monastery of the Gatchina Diocese, and in 2020 he took monastic vows. Before beginning his service at the military church, he worked at the monastery as a prosphora baker, preparing bread used in Orthodox liturgical services.

Since December 2023, Monk Raphael had served as assistant rector of the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands at the 9th Guards Keleck-Berlin Artillery Brigade in the village of Gorodok, Leningrad Region.

Hieromonk Hilarion, the rector of the church, also serves as an assistant commander of the military unit responsible for work with religious servicemen. He has provided pastoral care to military personnel since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Bishop Mitrofan of Gatchina and Luga expressed condolences to the family and loved ones of Monk Raphael, calling for prayers for the repose of the deceased monk and for the speedy recovery of Hieromonk Hilarion.