The commemorative icons were stolen from the sketes of the Nizhny Novgorod Old Believers.

      In the group "Kerzhaki Old Believers" on VKontakte, it was reported about the theft of copper icons that the faithful had installed at the sketes in memory of five holy elders. According to the authors of the post, the icons have little monetary value but are important as a memory and tradition. Sketes are secluded monastic settlements or places of prayerful solitude for Old Believers, usually located in remote forested areas. The authors note that illegal searches for ancient items are regularly conducted at the sketes. According to them, people from various professions are involved in this, from teachers and doctors to administration specialists and entrepreneurs. At the same time, the law permits the search for artifacts only in non-historical places and prohibits it on the territory of monuments and cemeteries (tumuli, ancient settlements). The victims of the theft plan to install new icons but are outraged by the very fact: "We will put up new icons, but do these 500-600 rubles really make a difference to anyone? It's shameful and sad. God will be your judge," the message states.

      Photo: "Kerzhaki Old Believers"

      Author:

      Ivan Vorobyov

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