OCU unveils new patriotic icons in Rivne region
The icons depict Cossacks and angels with yellow-and-blue sashes.
In Dubno, Rivne region, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) has completed the installation of a new iconostasis in the St. Nicholas Monastery, reports Suspilne. The iconostasis, which will eventually feature 24 icons, is currently being assembled in the church. Among the images are not only traditional religious figures but also warrior-Cossacks and angels adorned with patriotic sashes.
The iconostasis, nearly 10 meters tall and 7 meters wide, was installed in September 2024. Local artist Mykola Tymchak painted the icons, funded by contributions from parishioners. The names of the donors are inscribed on the back of each icon.
“The idea for the iconostasis emerged at the beginning of the war. It was meant to be completed during wartime, and this had to be reflected in the icons. I didn’t want them to be somber. I wanted them to appear glorious and victorious. For instance, here are Ukrainian warriors and a Cossack as a symbol of the Cossack spirit of our soldiers. And here, the iconographer included a line of angels. If you look closely, you can see blue-and-yellow ribbons on their sashes,” explained Archimandrite Merkurii about the concept of the patriotic icons.
As previously reported by UOJ, images of well-known Volyn businessmen have appeared in the upper church of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Lutsk.
