Churches

Volodymyr the Great instated Orthodox Christianity as the state religion of the Keivan Rus in 988 AD. After generations of Soviet persecution, the Orthodox church is once again flourishing in Ukraine.

Currently, three major Ukrainian Orthodox Churches coexist, and often compete in the country: the  Ukrainian Orthodox Church- Kiev Patriarchate, the  Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.
                                                                    

Western Christian traditions such as Roman Catholicism and Protestantism have had a very limited presence in Ukraine since at least the 16th century. Worshipers of these traditions remain a relatively small minority in today's Ukraine, despite the efforts of Western Missionaries. Today you can see stunningly beautiful examples of these churches throughout the country. One afternoon Dima and I went for a long walk through the forest. Along the way I cut through the woods to a vast field of watermelons and came across this breathtaking recreation of a medieval Orthodox Church, constructed entirely of wood. As we approached, the rich smell of the fresh cut timber filled the air. It was a truly awe-inspiring sight.