Portraits of fallen soldiers surround shroud in UGCC church in Lviv

UGCC church in Lviv. Photo: zelennkо

At the UGCC Church of Klymentiy Sheptytsky in Lviv, an installation featuring portraits of fallen Ukrainian servicemen was set up before the iconostasis on Good Friday. The structure was assembled specifically for this day and is said to carry a conceptual meaning.

According to the author of the idea and the parish rector, Fr. Sevastian Dmytrukh, portraits of the fallen are the most fitting setting for the shroud. The parish says that “here the shroud will lie not among flowers, but among portraits of fallen defenders. Those who gave their lives for us – beside the crucified Christ.”

On both sides of the “iconostasis” made up of portraits, children were stationed as an honor guard. On social media, the initiative drew mixed reactions.

“With all due respect for the memory of the fallen soldiers, I do not think it is appropriate to cover the iconostasis with portraits of soldiers,” wrote andriymaiovets.

“Poor children. You create an atmosphere of war everywhere,” wrote carpatho rusyn woman.

At the same time, some commenters see profound meaning in the installation.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that in Odesa, the OCU leader “consecrated” an iconostasis with royal doors in the form of a trident.

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