Ukrainian church hit by gunfire in Troy

There were frightening moments during a Good Friday church service in South Troy. Members of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church at 3rd and Monroe streets were celebrating around 10 a.m., when three bullets suddenly flew through the stained glass window into the church sanctuary.

Some of those windows are valued at $50,000, Father Asyl Dovgan said.

Especially troubling was that many church members fled a war zone in Ukraine seeking safe haven in the United States.

Between 70 to 90 families worship at the church.

“It’s a miracle no one was injured,” said Dovgan.

He just returned from Ukraine in recent days, where he buried a family member killed in the war.

Evidence technicians were at the church Friday, gathering fragments.

Detectives are checking video surveillance systems in the neighborhood. No one is in custody.

Father Dovgan expects to hold Palm Sunday services this weekend, he told NewsChannel 13.

Easter Sunday in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is celebrated the following weekend. Dovgan said during this holy season, he wants to see people start spreading love, rather than hate.