Icon Requires Prayer: Exhibition by Master Volodymyr Sherstiy

On Sunday, March 22, at St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, a personal exhibition of the Honored Master of Folk Art of Ukraine, iconographer Volodymyr Sherstiy, took place.

An icon is not just a painting; it is art for God. It is understood that the artist who creates them is not just a painter but a person of deep faith.

— The icons I create are prayed over, — says Volodymyr Sherstiy. — I pray to them every day, talk to them… An icon requires prayer. It is a point of contact between the visible and invisible worlds, not only an artistic creation but also a bearer of certain energy. It is no wonder that an icon is called a "window to heaven."

Volodymyr Mykhailovych Sherstiy was born in the village of Hnylychky, Ternopil region. He is an Honored Master of Folk Art of Ukraine. A participant in the restoration of churches and cathedrals. He studies Byzantine art and writes icons in the Byzantine style for churches and private individuals. His works are in the collections of famous people in Ukraine and abroad, including in the collection of the Pope, as well as in the Ternopil Regional Museum.

With the onset of the full-scale invasion, the artist decided to go to the front, although he was already 62 years old at the time. He participated in battles in the Kharkiv region. However, he did not fight for long, as due to his non-conscription age, he could not claim a salary and social benefits, and his age was also a factor, so after being discharged from the territorial defense forces, he returned to volunteer work, which he had been engaged in since 2014. By the way, he even painted icons in the trenches at the front.

With tears in his eyes, he recalls his fallen commander Oleh Kutsyn, who created the unit "Carpathian Sich" (49th Separate Assault Battalion "Carpathian Sich" — a volunteer unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which became part of the Ground Forces. The unit participated in battles for Pisky and Donetsk airport, defended Kyiv region (Irpin, Brovary), and fought near Izium and Kreminna. Founder Oleh Kutsyn died on June 19, 2022, near Izium — ed.).

Regarding his first impressions of the United States, particularly Chicago, Mr. Volodymyr shares much more willingly:

— It's as if I left Ukraine, and a few days later, I found myself back in Ukraine! I expected to hear more English, but instead, you hear: "Good day, glory to Jesus Christ," Ukrainian flags everywhere — on private houses, on bank buildings, in shop windows, near churches… Ukrainian Village is like a small district town, where you can meet many acquaintances, friends, just walking the streets.

For the warm welcome, for assistance in the trip, for help and a sincere heart, I want to thank Father Ivan Lymar, the rector of the St. Volodymyr Church in Chicago. He is an incredible person! Although we met recently, I feel as if I have known Father Ivan all my life. Before the opening of my exhibition, my wife Halyna and I managed to attend a divine service at St. Volodymyr Church, which also impressed us. The church is extraordinarily beautiful with its stained glass, iconostasis, wall paintings, and its history, as it is the oldest Ukrainian Orthodox parish in the USA!

The personal icon exhibition was open for only one day. Many icons found their homes here in Chicago.

The artist's legacy — icons that have seen the world thanks to the Master's golden hands — will be passed down to many generations of Ukrainians, bringing light through the ages.