Britain's sickest thieves ransacked a church of relics and cash raised for Ukrainian refugees.
Police are hunting the crooks responsible for breaking into the Church of St Nicholas the Wonderworker in Oxford and making off with money collected for families displaced by Russia's war on Ukraine.
Photos shared by Archpriest Stephen Platt show the mess left behind by thieves who emptied boxes and files surrounding the altar scattered on the floor in their search for riches.
Archpriest Stephen's post on Facebook has been commented on over 400 times by sympathetic members of the public and liked by well over 1,000 people.
He described the burglary in the early hours of Saturday morning as leaving behind a "great deal of damage" which Thames Valley Police is investigating.
Archpriest Stephen said: "I am sorry to announce that during the early hours of Saturday 12th March, the Church of St Nicholas the Wonderworker in Oxford suffered a break-in."
What was taken however appears to be inconsistent with a supposed desire to maximise the profits of crime.
He continued: "A great deal of damage was done, the holy altar was ransacked, and various objects were stolen, including holy relics, crosses and altar vessels.
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"Fortunately, although the holy table was interfered with, the antimension and the tabernacle containing the Holy Gifts were left undisturbed."
What has especially angered Facebook users is the thieves stealing money raised by the church's congregation for those directly impacted by the Ukraine crisis.
Archpriest Stephen added: "The church safe and money boxes were forced open with violence, and the proceeds of a collection to support refugees from Ukraine was stolen. The church bookstall was burgled and stock taken.
"The police have been informed and are making investigations.
"Please keep our church and our parish in your prayers."
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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 £9,000 from more than 240 donations.
One person commented: "So sorry to see this wanton vandalism and theft in such a beautiful church. I hope the culprits are caught and made to do voluntary work in Ukraine!"
"I'm shocked to hear this. Especially at this time, when you are helping those who so need it, another said."
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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