In the spring of 2022, a Russian strike devastated the Church of the Holy Prophet Ilya in Kyselivka, Mykolaiv region. Almost 90 percent of the building was damaged while icons and other religious values were irreversably lost.
The rector and parishioners told Ukraine’s public broadcaster their story.
Olha Varsha, a Kyselivka native, says that the Church of the Holy Prophet Ilya was built in one of the usual village buildings. The church is just nearly 20 years old.
“Every Sunday we had a service, every Sunday. And if the holiday was somewhere midweek, there was still a service there. At first there were many parishioners, then there were fewer. About a dozen,” says Olha Varsha.
The parishioners remember they were afraid throughout the period when Russian invasion forces stayed the village.
“The war just started and our father says: ‘Come, let’s pray for our soldiers.’ I think it as day 3 or so. But we never made it because the invaders were already here on March 10,” says parishioner Yevdokia.
Of course, it was scary when the Russians came. They broke down the door to the church and “felt at home” there.
Olha eventually fled the village and returned after its complete liberation in November 2022.
At the same time, he and his fellow villagers tried to save what remained in the church.
“A total of 15 icons were saved, apparently. Many were already without frames, wet and dirty. But we cleaned and dried them. The villagers embroidered things with their own hands and brought them to the church. And even now, they keep bringing icons for our future church,” says the local woman.
There is no talk now of rebuilding the church or setting it up in a new place, said the former rector of the church, Father Vadym.
“No one knows how many people will return. Some 90-95 percent of the church building suffered damage. The icons, calvary, and other items were lost. Church clothes are also lost. And the paperwork for the church registration is probably somewhere under the rubble, says Father Vadym.
