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3 parishioners hurt in road accident, refuse hospitalization

The cathedral is located at a busy Yekaterinburg crossroads, and it is difficult to avoid incidents with so many people around

YEKATERINBURG, October 26 (Itar-Tass) — Three parishioners hurt in a road accident near St Trinity Cathedral in Yekaterinburg on Wednesday, refused hospitalization giving priority to venerating the belt of the Holy Mother of God.

"One of the woman injured in the road accident, was hospitalized with a fracture of foot, and the other victims refused hospitalization as they preferred to queue at St Trinity Cathedral to venerate the orthodox relic," the press service of regional road police said.

The cathedral is located at a busy Yekaterinburg crossroads, and it is difficult to avoid incidents with so many people around, believers said.

Archpriest Pyotr Mangilev told a news conference at the TASS-Urals regional information centre that St Trinity Cathedral had been selected because of its convenient location, as it believers can easily reach it by public transport, and also because it can accommodate up to 7,000 people. It has several entrances giving unhindered access to the relic.

"Of course, we condole the women hurt in the road accident but thank God, everything is now OK. I wish to note that police are doing their best to prevent similar incidents in the future," father Pyotr said.

According to vice-president, executive director of the Foundation of Andrei the First Called and the Centre of National Glory Vladimir Mishchenko, the parishioners have been quite organized: "the believers are watching the order themselves. They explain to the new arrivals how to behave and what to do. Volunteers and Yekaterinburg diocese personnel are also watching the order. They have been making arrangements to give food and hot tea to people."

"They are doing everything possible to make people feel safe," Mishchenko said.

The accident occurred as the owner of a Suzuki CX-4 rolled onto a curbstone when parking. She was unable to stop the car immediately and shot onto the pavement where people were queuing to enter the cathedral. Ambulances were called to the scene; doctors said the victims had multiple bruises of the body and limbs.

The queue was several kilometers long. More than 30,000 believers have venerated the Belt of the Holy Mother of God since it was brought to the Ural region earlier this week.