Copper, Gospel stolen from NY parish

(Buffalo News) - Thieves stripped more than $6,000 worth of copper from a Lovejoy-area church in Buffalo over the weekend.

But they also stole something much more emotionally and spiritually valuable -- a silver-gilded Holy Gospel book that may be linked to the founding of the church more than a century ago.

The burglars Friday night stripped both copper and lead from SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church on Ideal Street. Church officials and neighbors suspect the thieves may have begun their work Thursday night and finished on Friday night.

The thieves also broke into the church, apparently through a basement window, and church officials later determined that the Gospel book had been taken.

SS. Peter and Paul was founded in 1894 by Russian and Austro-Hungarian immigrants; the next year, they built a modest wooden structure. In 1933, during the Great Depression, the current church was built, a magnificent structure that rises about 100 feet to the top of the cupola.

The Rev. Volodymyr Zablotskyy, acting parish rector, said he believes the Holy Gospel book dates back at least to 1933 and was used by some of the founding families.

"It's a connection to our founders," he said. "In many ways, it's a reminder that even during times of struggle, great things can be accomplished when communities pull together."

Another break-in was attempted at the church Sunday night.

Zablotskyy said church leaders are planning to offer a $500 reward for recovery of the missing book. Anyone with information may call the church rectory at 893-0044.