Oxford, November 2, 2011
 |
On the night of Saturday 22 October, thieves got onto the roof of the church and stole the cross from the cupola at the front of the church. The theft was noticed after the liturgy on Sunday 23 October. The police and insurance company were informed.
On the night of Sunday 23 October, thieves broke into the church and stole the reliquary box with particles of relics of various saints, two reliquary crosses, a box containing a chalice, anointing brushes and a ladle, the baptismal box containing the holy chrism, a silver bowl used for water-blessing, the candle box with a locked money box (containing no money as this had been been removed at the end of the Sunday liturgy).
From Monday night, parishioners have stayed through the night in the church to keep watch. On Tuesday night, 25 October, a further attempt was made to break into the church through the front door. The thieves, who came in a car, fled when they noticed that someone was inside the church. The police were called, but found nobody suspicious in the area. They have taken film from the security camera of the garage next to the church, which shows two people. They have not yet been identified.
Since the thefts, additional security measures have been installed in the church. The locks have been changed, window locks installed and a burglar alarm is being fitted. A taller security gate and security lighting is also being installed. When the cross on the roof is replaced, it will be secured to the cupola with special anti-theft fittings.
The insurance company, Ecclesiastical Insurance PLC, will pay out for the replacement of the stolen items, the the parish`s site reports.
