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Alexander Tsykun, a graduate of the Rivne Theological Seminary of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, was killed by Russian occupation forces. Tsykun's funeral was held the day after he would have turned 24. He was killed in the recent fighting in the Hostomel area.
The young Orthodox cleric was mourned by crowds of his countrymen. The Rivne Diocese of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine reports, "Thousands of people came to meet the hero and thank him for his sacrificial feat by which he proved his love for his neighbors and the Motherland-Ukraine."
The funeral, held on March 26 in the village of Stavok, was attended by over 30 Orthodox clerics. Their presence was a sign that Tsykun lived as a true Christian. At the end of the sermon, Father Vitaliy Lototsky, Rector of the Rivne Theological Seminary addressed the assembly.
From the village of Ivanychi to his parents' home, people paid their respects to the fallen defender by kneeling before the funeral procession.
Alexander Tsykun was buried with military honors on the grounds of St. Nicholas Church.
A Facebook tribute in the hero's honor concludes, "MEMORY ETERNAL FOR THE HERO WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR UKRAINE!"
