The holy alter at an Oxford church was ransacked after it fundraised to support refugees in Ukraine.

St Nicholas Orthodox Church in Oxford suffered a break-in in the early hours of Saturday morning that saw holy relics and a substantial sum of money raised to help those in crisis in Ukraine.  

Archpriest Stephen Platt took to Facebook to inform people of the sad news and said that a lot of damage was done.

He said: “A great deal of damage was done, the holy altar was ransacked, and various objects were stolen, including holy relics, crosses and altar vessels.”

He added: “Fortunately, although the holy table was interfered with, the antimension and the tabernacle containing the Holy Gifts were left undisturbed.”

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The Archpriest said the church safe and money boxes were also forced open with “violence”, and the proceeds of a collection to support refugees from Ukraine was stolen. The church bookstall was also burgled.

Archpriest Stephen Platt added in the Facebook post: “Please keep our church and our parish in your prayers.”

The Archpriest said the police have been informed and are making investigations.

Following the break-in, a fundraiser was launched for the church on Facebook and many people have stepped in to help the church. Already St Nicholas Orthodox Church has raised more than £6,000 from more than 160 donations.

Thames Valley Police said: "No arrests have yet been made. Anyone with any information relating to this should call 101, quoting reference number 43220109003."

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