Building the Temple By Hand
One man builds a church as missiles fly overhead.
No matter where you are on the spectrum of belief, there is a man in the east of Ukraine who will inspire you. I want to share his story, as he welcomed me into his family like his own son. And, if this story inspires you, please share a comment with him; it means the world.
Fr. Ihor (I respectfully call him “Padre,” since his son is also Fr. Ihor) is a Catholic priest in Kryvyy Rih, Ukraine. This holy man - also a grandpa - has been single-handedly building a magnificent church for his community of faithful, one brick at a time, one prayer at a time, with his own hands.
He depends on donations and faith, truly ... I mean truly believing that God will guide his hands and tools, and that this church will rise above the war-ravaged community through sheer faith alone.
So, Fr. Ihor asked me if I was afraid of heights. “Uh, no. Why?”
Leading me into this incredible structure, through the doors of this church, I looked up and could only think, ‘Oh my, God’.
“Hold on, you did all of this, Padre?”
Yes.
A maze of scaffolding climbs upward into a dome, all work completed by his own hands. The welding of the intricate stairs - him. The massive concrete arches - him. The windows, electrical, and flooring - Fr. Ihor has done it all.
All of it. In the constant stress of war, missiles, and a front line that’s not too far from home. It’s surreal to this American; it’s pure courage.
It’s one of those experiences that leaves an imprint on your soul - especially when you later hear people say, “Things are so hard,” or “I don’t have time,” or “Why is God punishing me?” Being around Fr. Ihor, being welcomed as the stranger into his home, present at his liturgy as his community, witnessing how he approaches life with immense faith, simplicity, and love, and then creates something almost incomprehensible in the midst of war; he has has shown me what is possible with even a smallest seed of faith and against the greatest of odds.
Thank you for this inspiration, Padre.
