Kyziv

 

This is Kyziv Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery of Saint Dymetrius.  

It was late afternoon on a very cold winter day and I wanted to catch this one before the sun went down.  By the time I arrived the moon had risen high above the church.  There is a a steel crucifix beside the church...

...and another in the graveyard, both of which have inserts painted blood red.    

A view of the cemetery through the trees.

As was common at the time, the church was built with the volunteer labour and donations of the parishioners.

This is a rare architectural design I've encountered only a few times in my travels...in this case, a belfry with priest's quarters.  Wonderful workmanship!

The temperature was quickly dropping as was the sun but that winter light was so captivating I had to stay for a few more photos.

An attractive gate sign with doves atop both posts.  

As with many other Ukrainian country churches there is only one service annually on "praznyk" which is the feast day of the parish.  

Lighting inside the church is by candlelight only.

Photographed near Rama, Saskatchewan on January 6, 2020.