Nothing’s sacred!

By Shaun Inguanzo
A CHURCH community is in shock after thieves hit their sacred spot for the third time in as many months – this time swiping more than $25,000 worth of religious goods.
St Dimitria’s Macedonian Orthodox Church in Edinburgh Road, Springvale, and its adjacent social hall have been hit by thieves three times this year, secretary Budimir Sekuloski told Star.
The past two break-ins have occurred within weeks of each other, and have left the St Dimitria community wondering why someone would harm their sacred space.
Greater Dandenong detectives this week called for people with any information about the thefts to contact police.
In one incident overnight on 11 and 12 March, more than $25,000 of religious icons, all gold-plated were stolen.
Police said cartons of alcohol from the social hall adjoining the church were also taken, as was $500 in cash from the church donations box.
Mr Sekuloski said the community had been shaken by the substantial thefts.
“We don’t feel good to be honest with you, we have been here for almost 30 years and this is definitely the mother of all attacks,” he said.
“A church is a holy place, and when you walk by you normally feel respect for the building.
“But these thieves are people probably teenagers with no respect.”
Mr Sekuloski said more puzzling was the fact the gold-plated objects only had sentimental and religious value, and would be too difficult to resell for profit.
In an earlier theft in January, Mr Sekuloski said thieves stole a $5,000 projector that the church’s members had pitched in funds to buy for last year’s soccer World Cup.
And in a smaller incident last Thursday, which the church is yet to report to police, he said other electronic items were stolen.
“This time they stole a video player, DVD player, pay television set top box, stereo system,” he said.
“These are all things donated by our church community, and those people are not happy.
Mr Sekuloski said the church estimated the total damage and losses bill of the three thefts to be $65,000.
He said the church was insured, but nothing could replace the sentimental value that had been lost.
Mr Sekuloski said the church would had installed bars on windows and would soon install an alarm system.
Anyone with information on the crimes should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.