Last Sunday, I attended the 10:00 a.m. service at New Life Church in Kyiv, marking my final church visit before heading home.

​The experience felt like stepping into a Texas mega-church—complete with an outstanding worship band, professional cameras, a large screen, and a lively congregation filled with children and families. I captured a glimpse of it in the short video below.

What makes this service especially moving is that it can only happen in parts of Ukraine that remain free. In areas under Russian control, evangelical gatherings like these are prohibited, churches have been shuttered, and pastors imprisoned, tortured, even killed.

After the service, I had the privilege of interviewing Pastor Anton Kalyuzhny of New Life Church, a non-denominational congregation. His excellent English, shaped by a strong Ukrainian education, immediately stands out. As a multi-generational pastor, his ministry roots reach back to the Soviet era.

During the interview, I asked him the question I’ve posed to every clergy member I’ve met on this trip—whether they or their church have experienced any government persecution in Ukraine. Pastor Kalyuzhny responded that they had not and added that he feels churches in Ukraine may actually enjoy greater freedom than those in the U.S.; here, for instance, prayer is permitted in schools.

We also touched on the evolving schism within Ukraine’s Orthodox Church and government efforts to address "spy priests." Pastor Kalyuzhny shared valuable insights on the Moscow-linked Orthodox Church in Ukraine, seeing it as a remnant of the old Orthodox institution used by the Soviets for control, espionage, and propaganda. His full reflections will be featured in Beyond Bucha, which we aim to release by February 2025, on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

But on this Sunday, it simply felt like church. The worship band led with beautiful songs, and though I couldn’t understand the sermon’s words, the message was clear. The Spirit’s presence was unmistakable, and despite all this church has endured, its strength and resilience will undoubtedly carry it forward for generations, God willing.

On July 23, 2023, the world, including Christians across America, was shocked and horrified when a Russian missile attack severely damaged the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, one of the most iconic landmarks of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa - Wikipedia

This cathedral was a key reason for my visit to Odesa. I wanted to witness the rebuilding process, understand how the congregation had been affected, and, if possible, conduct an interview for our new film Beyond Bucha. Thankfully, I was able to achieve all three goals, while also gaining insight into the ongoing complexities within Ukraine’s Orthodox churches and their split from Russian Orthodoxy. Note that the interview will be in the finished film but not in the short video included here.

During my time in Ukraine, I’ve had the opportunity to interview many Orthodox priests. The most recent took place inside the Transfiguration Cathedral on Sunday, October 13th. The priest had just delivered a sermon in Russian to fewer than 100 people. It quickly became clear that both he and the church identified more with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) than with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

For someone like me, who speaks neither Ukrainian nor Russian, the liturgies are largely indistinguishable. However, for my translator Sasha and his mother, the differences were striking, especially during the interview. Sasha and his mother were disappointed with the priest’s perspective. Just a few days earlier, we had interviewed an OCU priest who has fully rejected any former Russian ties.

​The Russian-speaking priest at the cathedral explained that the church has been part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) since the 1990s, but the situation is more nuanced than it seems. Membership in the UOC does not equate to alignment with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU); for instance, the UOC is comfortable displaying a portrait of Moscow’s Patriarch Kirill at the cathedral's entrance. For a deeper understanding of the history of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, I suggest referencing this source: Orthodox Church of Ukraine – Britannica.

​I was pleased to find the cathedral open during my initial visit on October 11th. That day, I was treated to a beautiful flute recital by the Sunrise Ensemble of Odesa, performing "Confession" by Ukrainian composer Oksana Gerasimenko in front of the church. We recorded the recital and used it as a backdrop in the short video tour of the cathedral. Inside, the reconstruction is ongoing, with debris still piled up. However, the ceilings and domes have been covered, and there is hope the work will be completed in a few years. We were granted full access to the church, even exploring the crypt, and conducted our interview in the middle of the nave. All of which will be included in the final documentary.

So, how can one tell when they are in a Russian-leaning Orthodox Church in Ukraine? Several signs stood out:

1. Language: The liturgy and the interview were conducted in Russian, and the priest showed no hesitation about this. While there are many places in Ukraine where Russian is spoken, it’s not something one expects in a Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The priest downplayed the significance of language, saying it didn’t matter what language the liturgy was conducted in.

2. Perceived Persecution: This was the first time a Ukrainian pastor or cleric I interviewed said there was persecution of Christians in Ukraine. Priests aligned with Moscow have faced charges of espionage, promoting Russian propaganda, inciting religious hatred, and justifying Russia's aggression. For a high-profile case, see Senior ROC priest hospitalized after court hearing / The New Voice of Ukraine. Despite these tensions, there was no sign of persecution at the service we attended. The church was open, services continued, and the priest was more than willing to speak with us. He seemed more embarrassed about his limited English than about speaking Russian.

3. Portrait of Kirill: The clearest sign of the church’s Russian alignment was a large portrait of Patriarch Kirill at the entrance. Kirill, a staunch supporter of Putin, has framed the war in Ukraine as a holy mission to "de-satanize" the country. Seeing his image prominently displayed was a shock, especially given his role in providing religious cover for Russia’s aggression.

​Unsurprisingly, attendance has declined at this Cathedral since the full-scale invasion in 2022. The schism within the Orthodox Church in Ukraine is ongoing, and the divisions run deep. While the rebuilding of the cathedral progresses, the spiritual and political fractures within the church are complex and evolving.

Pastor Sergey Gashchenko, Bishop of the Union of Churches - Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine - October 6th, 2024

In early 2023, I filmed a segment for Back to Bucha featuring Pastor Oleg Regetsiy of the Church of the Glory of the Lord in Lviv.
At that time, he was conducting an online service with his displaced congregation, many of whom had fled Kharkiv after Russian forces were repelled in the early days of the war. While Oleg and his family have since returned to Kharkiv, most of his congregation has not.

In the video below, we see a Wednesday evening Bible study around a dinner table, attended by Oleg’s family and a few parishioners. At this particular service they were trying to translate everything into English for my benefit though generally would speak Russian given we were in the Kharkiv region which is largely Russian speaking. They read and discuss scripture, followed by prayers from everyone present. It was an intimate gathering, largely made up of women. Oleg’s wife, Iryna, plays a prominent role in the ministry, a female co-pastor, making their work a true partnership. This setting reminded me of the early days of the Christian church, when services were held in homes, often led by women, bringing to mind Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."

Kharkiv was relatively calm when I visited a few weeks ago, but it remains a prime objective for Russian forces. Earlier this year, they launched a renewed offensive, but were repelled, in part due to U.S.-supplied HIMARS, which President Biden allowed to strike into Russia. Kharkiv is only about 25 miles from the Russian border, making it a critical flashpoint in the conflict.

Bible study around a dinner table, attended by Pastor Oleg Regetsiy, his family and parishioners, Kharkiv, Ukraine - September 25th, 2024

​After Kharkiv, I traveled south to Zaporizhzhia via Dnipro to meet with Bishop Sergey Gashchenko, leader of the Union of Churches to which Oleg’s ministry belongs. I also attended a service at the Source of Life Church where Bishop Gashchenko preached last Sunday, a glimpse of which you can see in the video below.

This denomination, as explained to me, is Pentecostal with a Charismatic element. The Charismatic aspect apparently allows for women pastors, and I met a young female pastor who gave one of the clearest explanations of the Orthodox church schism and why it is supported by many Ukrainians. We’ll feature her in an upcoming segment.

In my conversations with clergy here, whenever I ask about Christian persecution in Ukraine, they seem perplexed by the question. Bishop Gashchenko even suggested that he enjoys greater religious freedom than many Americans, noting that while U.S. churches were forced to close during COVID, services in Ukraine continued, with most Ukrainians still remaining unvaccinated due to limited vaccine availability.

​Ultimately, these two Protestant churches exemplify the thriving religious freedom on this side of the frontlines. The Russian disinformation claiming persecution of Christians in Ukraine is utterly unfounded. The arrest of Russian Orthodox priests acting as spies isn’t about religious persecution—it’s about their illegal activities and espionage, as they continue to support Russia and spread propaganda from the pulpit.

This church would make most American Evangelicals feel at home.
This Ukrainian mega-church in Irpin has everything— a theater-style chapel, professional cameras, lights, a worship band, plenty of children, gourmet coffee, and a well-known pastor. Most importantly, it boasts a thriving congregation.

This Baptist church in Irpin has everything— a theater-style chapel, professional cameras, lights, a worship band, plenty of children, gourmet coffee, and a well-known pastor. Most importantly, it boasts a thriving congregation.

​However, the church’s story took a dramatic turn in February 2022, when Russia invaded from the north. Russian forces shelled the area from occupied Bucha as they attempted to advance on Kyiv. They came close but were ultimately halted in Irpin and forced to retreat.

Senior Pastor Mykola Romaniuk at Irpin Bible Church 

The attached short video captures a typical Sunday service, as well as a brief excerpt from an interview with Sr. Pastor Mykola Romaniuk. Born into a multi-generational Baptist family—common in Ukraine—Pastor Romaniuk shares how faith, hope, service, and fellowship help sustain the faithful through wartime. He discusses how the trials, such as PTSD, can actually strengthen both the church and its members. This insightful interview will be featured in greater detail in the upcoming documentary Beyond Bucha, which I am currently filming here in Ukraine.

​One vital point that I discussed with the pastor is that discrimination against Christians in Ukraine is virtually nonexistent. The only exception is the arrest of Russian "spy-priests" from the Russian Orthodox Church, accused of providing intelligence to Moscow, reminiscent of Soviet-era tactics. As I continue my tour of Ukraine's Evangelical churches, it’s clear that persecution of Christians, or any other religious group, is simply not an issue here. The only individuals targeted are Moscow Orthodox “spy-priests” leading services in some of Ukraine's grandest Orthodox churches and cathedrals.

Bucha is my favorite spot in Ukraine.
By Steve Richards

I just finished lunch at the bustling Viktoria Park Hotel here in Bucha, and as I sat there, it struck me: what if I had been here during the occupation? An American documentarian in occupied Ukraine? My days would have been numbered. I’d either be the latest Russian prisoner on trumped-up espionage charges, or even shot dead on the streets, like so many Bucha residents. Artillery shells filled the skies, Javelins destroyed Russian tanks, and people sheltered in their basements. No one roamed the streets, not even the Russian soldiers, who feared being picked off by Bucha’s defiant citizens.

Now, more than two and a half years later, it couldn't be nicer. The weather is a comfortable 60 degrees, partly cloudy—just like Boston. The town, home to just over 31,000 people before the war is perhaps even larger now given the traffic. It’s filled with forests, nice homes, and apartments. Bucha has reclaimed its identity as a trendy Kyiv suburb, complete with a commuter rail station. Kyiv is just 14 miles away, about a 45-minute drive. The noisiest things around this weekend here were the two wedding receptions at the hotel over the weekend. The DJ’s played western hits.

It all feels so normal now. The McDonald's reopened quickly, though I don’t remember seeing a Domino's before. New shops are flourishing, windows throughout the town replaced as if nothing ever happened. The blown-out houses on Vokzalna Street, where the Russian advance was halted, have been completely rebuilt, thanks to international contributors like Miami based Global Empowerment Mission and Howard Buffett, Warren Buffett’s son.

After five days in Kharkiv last week I’ve been here all weekend, capturing footage of a local Evangelical church in Irpin, the next town over. Tomorrow, I’m interviewing its pastor before heading to Dnipro.

To be honest, it feels like a bit of a holiday. No air raid sirens here. They’re rare in Bucha now, unlike in Kyiv, and even more so in Kharkiv. There are no major targets for the Russians here, though I imagine they have plans to strike the power infrastructure as the winter deepens.
​
Part of the reason I returned this past weekend was an invitation from old friends from April 2022 to a borscht dinner. They’ve been so kind, though I’m still not used to the endless vodka shots before, during, and after meals. Lesson learned: wine and vodka don’t mix well over dinner.

Julia in front of Jul's Coffee and Ice Cream

Jul’s Coffee and Cocktails
Bucha’s entrepreneurial spirit impresses me, grounded in a faith—faith not just in God, though that’s part of it, but faith in Ukraine’s ultimate victory. You don’t invest like this if you think the Russians are coming back. It’s possible, of course, but few here seem to think it likely.

Take Julia, the owner of Jul’s Coffee and Peace. Anyone who’s seen Back to Bucha – Finding the Spirit in Ukraine knows Julia and her story of returning to Bucha in the summer of 2022 to rebuild. When I visited in January 2023, her coffee shop had been fully restored after being destroyed. And by the holiday season in January 2024, I was back again and screening Back to Bucha at her new restaurant, Burger Bunker.

Now, I’ve returned just in time for the opening of her latest venture: Jul’s Coffee and Cocktails, a beautiful little cocktail house that also serves duck breast, risotto and mushrooms, and tiramisu. She’s also opened Jul’s Coffee and Ice Cream in a nearby park, housed in a little artisan metal building that looks like Tinkerbell’s house—a little slice of Disney World right here in Bucha. Other creations are on the horizon, and all are in Bucha. Her way of giving back a bit of joy to her Bucha as she calls it. Profit is not high on the list of objectives. Jobs and economic activity a tremendous result. It’s all truly remarkable from a woman who had no experience in any of these trades. She has received no insurance nor government money. Just a bit of cooperation from the mayor’s office. The biggest problem? As the mother of five she is just dead tired.

In the short video attached, you can see the petite diamond cross around her neck, a symbol of her Christian faith. This lady has faith. In God, herself, her family, Bucha and Ukraine.

​Call it faith-based Capitalism. It is common throughout Ukraine. And for those that say Ukraine is destroyed, and the war unwinnable, I say come to Bucha.

Last Sunday, I attended the 10:00 a.m. service at Bethany Baptist Church in Bucha, a gathering that felt like it could have taken place anywhere across the U.S. I’ve captured the experience in the short video below. What makes this moment especially profound is that services like this can only happen in unoccupied Ukraine. In areas under Russian control, such as Crimea and the Donbas, gatherings like these are prohibited. Bucha itself was under Russian occupation for a month following the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Though the Russians retreated in March, they left behind a trail of well-documented atrocities and war crimes.

The next day, I had the privilege of interviewing Pastor Oleksandr (Sasha) Kulbych, the senior pastor of Bethany Baptist. One of the first things you'll notice about him is his excellent English, owing to his family’s strong ties to the U.S. and the U.K. However, it may be a while before he can visit either country, as men aged 18 to 60 are not allowed to leave Ukraine due to martial law. Pastor Kulbych is a fourth-generation Baptist pastor, with roots dating back to the Soviet era, when his great-great-grandfather was imprisoned for many years for preaching the gospel. He draws inspiration from the ministries of Billy and Franklin Graham. In fact, his was the first church of any kind in Bucha, planted in 1991 as a mission of the Baptist Church Union in Kyiv, and he has been with the church since its founding.

I felt a bit awkward asking the question I plan to pose to all the clergy I meet on this trip—whether they or their church had experienced any persecution. Kulbych seemed surprised and simply answered, "no." He explained that Ukraine is considered the freest of all former Soviet states and satellite countries when it comes to religious freedom.

We also briefly discussed the schism within Ukraine’s Orthodox Church and the government’s efforts to address "spy priests." Kulbych didn’t have much to say on the topic, suggesting it was an issue best left to Orthodox clergy.

What weighs much more heavily on his mind is how the war has affected his congregation. Several of his parishioners were killed by Russian soldiers during the initial occupation, and many others are currently serving in the military, which has put much of the church’s activities on hold. PTSD is common among his congregation, as many witnessed firsthand the brutalities of Russia’s occupation. As the war continues, religious communities across Ukraine are grappling with how they will support returning soldiers, particularly since the government is seen as offering little more than lip service to addressing this looming crisis.

​But on this Sunday, it simply felt like church. Children filled the nursery, the band on stage played worship songs, and though I couldn’t understand a word of the sermon, it was clear. The presence of the Spirit was unmistakable, and despite everything this church has endured, its strength and resilience will carry it forward for generations, God willing.

By Steve Richards
Next Saturday, the 14th, there will be a screening of Back to Bucha at a location that holds unexpected significance for me—St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Dedham, Massachusetts. This event also marks a send-off for my fourth journey to Ukraine, just two days later, as part of the Beyond Bucha Production Tour. The tour will take me from Warsaw to Kyiv, Bucha, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Kherson, Odesa, and Vinnytsia, with my return scheduled for late October.

​In preparation for the event, Rev. Melanie McCarley, rector of St. Paul's, invited me to deliver a lay sermon to the congregation this morning. Considering the church's strong support for Ukraine, I found it fitting to draw a parallel between the Anglican experience during the American Revolution—when this very church played a significant role—and the role of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine's current fight for independence. My message went something like this:

It’s striking how often women like my cousin, Mary Richards, are overlooked in histories of religious and political conflicts. Back to Bucha, highlights the resilience of women in Ukraine who returned after initially fleeing, determined to raise their children in their own homes in their own country. Their stories of home, faith, and courage in the midst of war echo the stories of our ancestors found in St. Paul’s graveyard from yesteryear. 

As I get ready to return to Ukraine to work on the third film in the series, Beyond Bucha – Finding the Spirit in Ukraine from the Churches to the Front, I frequently get asked two questions: "Why did you start doing this?" and "Aren't you scared?"

My answer is: “not much”. Recent data shows that the danger in Ukraine, away from the front lines, is similar to what we face in the U.S. from gun violence. They fear missiles, we fear guns. The recent missile strike in Lviv, which killed a young family, is a sobering reminder of the violence that exists there, as is similarly exhibited in the recent shooting in Georgia. Fortunately for citizens of both countries is that the chances are low in both.

​I also remind myself daily of the words from Matthew 6:25-34, reminding us not to worry, for each day has enough trouble of its own.

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

For the other question you’ll need to come for the Q&A after the film.

​When I first traveled to Ukraine in March 2022, my mission wasn't rooted in religion, at least not initially. My primary concern was to draw attention to the fire at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the environmental catastrophe it posed. It wasn’t until I was preparing for the trip that I first heard about the Ukrainian Catholic Church. It happened during a conversation with Gene Yee, the REI salesman helping me choose a backpack. Before I knew it, I found myself praying with Fr. Yaroslav Nalysnyk at Christ the King UCC in Jamaica Plain, as he called down a guardian angel to protect me on my journey.

This 6-minute video features Christians in Lviv, Kyiv, Bucha, and Vinnytsia.

​That's how the people I interviewed for my two, soon-to-be three, films about Ukraine ended up in the project—through the Spirit’s guiding force. None of them are famous or powerful, but they all speak with a powerful voice, and the Spirit of Ukraine shines through them.

I hope their testimonies will help dispel the widespread disinformation about a supposed lack of religious freedom in Ukraine, something I’ve never witnessed. Of course, the schism within the Orthodox Church in Ukraine has a political dimension, which is a different matter altogether. Arresting spy priests is something America also dealt with during its revolution when handling Church of England clergy. In times of war, if you’re praying for the enemy or actively aiding them in non-clerical ways, ostracization and legal consequences are to be expected.

For American Christians, particularly Evangelicals, the focus seems to be on how Protestants are being treated in Ukraine. Addressing that concern is a key goal of the next film “Beyond Bucha”.

​Here's a brief description of the clips in order:

​Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Kyiv
The segment opens with a shot of the cathedral, accompanied by commentary from Fr. Roman Nebozhuk. We then see children taking communion. The church provided not just meals and shelter but also spiritual sustenance during the initial attacks on Kyiv through to today. He also briefly discusses the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO).

​German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kyiv
A quick exterior shot of the church is followed by a scene of a woman presiding over a service.

​Church of God’s Glory outside Lviv
We meet Pastor Regetsiy Oleh, who leads an Evangelical church in Kharkiv. Forced to flee to Lviv with his wife and son, he leads an online service for his dispersed congregation.

​Lviv Church of the Holy Trinity
This segment takes us to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine/Reformed Church in Ukraine, where we meet Doug Shepherd, the long-time pastor originally from Texas. He leads a Bible study session with a packed group of young people and gives us a tour of the church. The segment begins with a service that will feel familiar to many viewers.

​Nursery School Mom and Teacher in Kyiv
In these interviews with a nursery school mom and teacher in Kyiv they discuss their faith and Christian upbringing.

​Jul’s Coffee Shop in Bucha
Here we meet Julia, one of the film’s stars, who shares her faith journey. She was raised in the Orthodox Church.

​St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church in Bucha
At this iconic church, the site of a mass grave in Bucha, we witness Father Andrey leading an outdoor Good Friday service in 2022. The following year, we join him for an underground service and interview at the church.

​Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Vinnytsia
We visit the first church in Ukraine to formally break away from the Moscow Patriarchate to become part of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

​A Small Village Orthodox Church Outside Vinnytsia
The video concludes with a scene of a village priest showing us his Bible as he carefully puts away his vestments.

​This 6-minute video showcases some of the most poignant expressions of faith from the "Back to Bucha" film, shot in 2023 in Lviv, Kyiv, and Bucha, along with some footage from Vinnytsia captured earlier this year (2024). The film’s editor and associate producer, Amit Nepali, carefully assembled these clips from many hours of footage. He’s also a rare Nepali Christian, having been born and raised in a Christian family by converted Nepali Hindus. His father is an Anglican priest in Nepal. Amit’s selections for these clips reflect his deep connection to the footage and the unique Christian perspective he brings to the project.

And, oh yeah, he also wrote the music. 

I am excited to announce the dates for the upcoming Beyond Bucha Production Tour.

This tour will take me and my camera across Ukraine, with a particular focus on the eastern regions. As the third installment in the Trek to Bucha series, which began with a shoot in March 2022, this film aims to document the faithful and their places of worship near and at the front lines, helping to counter Russian disinformation about religious freedom in Ukraine. All dates and locales are, of course, subject to change depending upon conditions on the ground.

Warsaw - September 16-17
The first stop is Warsaw, which was also the starting point of my original trek in March 2022.
 
Kyiv - September 18-22
Kyiv is always a highlight of my trips to Ukraine. I look forward to catching up with those from the previous films before heading out to Bucha.
 
Bucha/Irpin - September 23-25
Ground zero for all three films in the series, I’ll be getting updates from those featured in the prior films.

Kharkiv - September 26-29
Kharkiv is a top stop where I plan to connect with the Evangelical church whose pastor we met in "Back to Bucha."
 
Dnipro - September 30 - October 6
Known as “Rocket City” during the Cold War, Dnipro is Ukraine’s tech hub on the Dnieper River and a center of Ukrainian Jewish life.
 
Zaporizhzhia - October 7-8
Heading south, I hope to visit the site of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, which was a target of Russian shelling in the early days of the war. This site was a key reason for my original trip to Ukraine.
 
Mykolaiv/Kherson - October 9-13
Southwestward, Mykolaiv offers access to Kherson, which experienced heavy fighting early in the war and was liberated in November 2022. Both cities' proximity to the Black Sea is of strategic importance.
 
Odesa - October 14-16
Continuing west along the Black Sea coast, Odesa is a cultural gem and home to the Transfiguration Cathedral, one of the most notable targets of Russian attacks on holy sites.
 
Vinnytsia - October 17-20
On my way home, I'll return to Vinnytsia, where I spent part of my holidays earlier this year. We plan to interview clergy at the first Orthodox church in Ukraine that broke away from the Moscow Patriarchate.
 
Lviv – October 21-23
The shoot concludes in Lviv, the first city I visited in Ukraine. Home to the Ukrainian Catholic University, it was here that I reformulated my plans, which ultimately led me to Bucha as the Russians retreated in April 2022.

The journey promises to be an enlightening and powerful experience, shedding light on the resilience and faith of the Ukrainian people amid the ongoing war.

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated funds to get us to this point, especially Alex Gamota and Bear Witness, the Executive Producers of all three films in the series. Major donors also include Tony Taylor and Yaryna, as well as Robert Weiss and his generous friends. Thanks to all!
 
We are currently at just over 60% of our $42,738 funding goal for the film, so there is still much to be done to reach our target and complete the project.

It’s not often that one gets to witness an actual schism unfold where it began.

​In this short video we get a quick tour of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Vinnytsia from Archdeacon Demetrios of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This includes a visit to the undercroft which doubles as a bomb shelter, well as the meditation garden which has been used for centuries by monks and priests. Originally a Dominican monastery when founded in 1630, to say it has a fascinating history would be an understatement.

The deacon begins with an explanation that this is the first church in Ukraine that transferred from the Moscow Patriarchate to the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine. A schism brought on by the war and is at the center of the conflict in many ways. Metropolitan Simeon was one of two bishops who came from the Moscow Patriarchate in 2018 to officially consecrate the new denomination as we see in a few photos of the historic signings creating the new church. The cathedral is the center of the Eparchy of Vinnytsia of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, with Metropolitan Simeon, its bishop. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfiguration_Cathedral,_Vinnytsia  

The tour ended in the sanctuary which, at the time, was being used for the funeral of one of Vinnytsia’s heroes recently killed in battle.

The fact that there are so many soldiers dying for their country necessitates the use of the cathedral for such occasions several times a week.