Sacred Arts Contest
Part of our mission, is to provide youth and college aged young adults the opportunity to become more involved with their faith, while showcasing the talented and creative youth we have within in our Ukrainian Orthodox Churches. We want our youth to realize that having fun and utilizing creativity can be manifested in a project that shows how they correlate their life with their faith.
Provided on this page are the rules and entry information for the contest. We ask that you encourage all youth and college students to participate. Prizes will be awarded for first and second place. This year we will be focusing on visual arts. Participants may make their submission in any visual art form: drawing, painting, watercolor, computer design.
Questions about the contest may be made to the Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry at uocyouth@aol.com
This year the topics are the same for all age categories
Entrants will be judged within their age category.
The participants may choose from one of the following themes:
- Faith, Hope & Love - Віра, Надія та Любов
“My Help is in the Lord Who Made Heaven and Earth” Psalm 121
Цього року тема однакова для всіх вікових категорій
Учасників будуть оцінюватися в межах їхньої вікової категорії.
Учасники можуть вибрати одну з наступних тем:
- Віра, Надія та Любов
- Моя допомога в Господі, що створив небо і землю Псалом 121
Entries will be shown and judged at the 24th Regular Sobor
Конкурсні роботи будуть представлені та оцінені на 24-му Звичайному Соборі
TOPIC
Use any visual or performing art to show any of the following:
Below are some prompts to help you design your artwork.
- Where do you see/experience Faith, Hope & Love in the world, your life or parish?
- How does the Lord help you?
Використовуйте візуальне чи виконавське мистецтво, щоб відтворити наступне:
- Де ви бачите/відчуваєте Віру, Надію та Любов у світі, у своєму житті чи парафії?
- Як Господь вам допомагає?
AGE GROUPS
Age Categories:
Category Pre K – Ages 4 -5
Category One - Ages 6 -9
Category Two - Ages 10- 12
Category Three - Ages 13 - 18 (highschool)
Category Four - College 18 - 23
Adaptive Entries:
Parents, for youth with adaptive needs – please enter your child in their appropriate age group and check adaptive on the entry form.
Адаптивні Роботи
Батьки, для молоді з особливами потребами – будь ласка, внесіть свою дитину до відповідної вікової категорії та поставте позначку “адаптивна” у формі.
2nd Place Winners will receive an Amazon Gift Card!
All participants will receive a small gift of thanks for their participation!
ENTRY FORM - This MUST accompany the submission
Cover Letter, Rules and Instuctions English Ukrainian
Age Categories and Topics ENG/UKR
POSTER/FLYER ENG/UKR
Thank you to all of our entries and winners! There are four age categories to view. Hover over each piece of art to read what the entrants parish means to them. Click on the art work for a better view! Placements are listed within the text.
2025 Judges - Thank you!
Db. Oksana Shak - UOC Consistory Office
Fr. Ihor Protsak -St. Demetius, Carteret, NJ
Carol Novosel - owner Carol Novosel Art, artisit in residence at Hope Center for the Arts, art/craft consultant for UOC Camping Ministry.
Below we are pleased to announce the 2025 winners in their respective catagories. Congratulations!
Click on a picture to see them enlarged with their artist statements.
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Group A - Ages 4 - 6 - Christopher Smith - age 5 - St. Peter & St. Paul Carnegie, PA A storm with God on the cross - it helps me because He is like a super hero! This is my icon |
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Group B - Ages 7-9 - Michael Yavorskyi - Age 8 - St. John The Baptist/Portland. My help come from God while praying in Church. I love watching my mom and little brother when we pray. |
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Group C - Ages 10-12 - Sarah Borsch - St. Peter & St. Paul/Carnegie, PA. The Lord speaks to me through icons. |
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Grpup D - Ages 13 -18 - Kira Vyhovska - St. Vladimir/Parma, OH. Faith, Hope and Love |
Below you will find the runner-ups in each category. Congratulations!
Click on a picture to see them enlarged with their artist statements.
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Group A - James St. Clair - Age 5 - St. Peter & ST. Paul/Carnegie. PA. Its when Jesus died on the cross. It helps me because it makes me not be scared. |
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Group A - Olia Sergeyev - Age 4 - ST. John the Baptist/Portland. |
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Group B - Anna Aussermeir - Holy Trinity/Trenton, NJ. My faith and hope are for peace in Ukraine. |
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Group B - Alyssa Feller - Age 7 - St. Peter & St. Paul /Carnegie, PA. The cross is for Faith because we believe in God. The hearts mean Love. My family sitting around the table praying for my gradfather is Hope. |
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Group C - Viktoriya Vyhovska - St. Vladimir/Parma, OH. St. Sophia and her daughters Faith, Hope and Love. |
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Group D - Mary Kokuavshilli - Age 17 - St. Peter & ST. Paul/Carnegie, PA. My help is in God through my family and faith. |
Congratulations to all of our entrants. You created beautiful pieces of artwork depicting Faith, Hope & Love and the Psalm 121 - My Help is in the Lord, who Created Heaven and Earth!
Enjoy all of our entrants artwork below by age group category.
Click on a picture to see it enlarged.
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A1 - Elizabeth Kravchenko - Age 6 -Holy Assumption Northampton, PA. |
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A2 - Sophia Kauer - Age 6 - St. Peter & ST. Paul/Carnegie, PA. I drew the cross for “faith” because God is good and we believe in Him. I drew the hearts for “Love”. and I drew me with my Pap-Pap for “hope” for his health. |
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A4 - Hadassah Panzarello - St. Peter & St. Paul/Carnegie, PA. God helps me by giving me sparkles, wind and blue sky. Taking cookies and cookie. We are love and happiness. |
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A7 - Elizabeth Kauer - God helps my family. God helps the sun, blue sky and green grass |
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A8 - Emma ST. Clair - St. Peter & ST. Paul Carnegie, PA. God helps me by making me happy with the rainbow and sparkles |
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A9 - Dennys Shushakov - ST. John Baptist/Portland, OR |
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A10 - Anhelina Antonova - St. John Baptist Portland, OR |
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B1 - Diana Nikitenko - Age 8 - ST. Vladimir/Parma, OH. I believe in God’s power! I pray for Ukraine! God will save us! |
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B2 - Alan Henry Young IV - Age 9, St. Vladimir/Parma, OH. My faith, hope and love is shown each time when I receive communion with my sister and my Baba in my Church, as shown by my picture. |
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B3 - Evelyn Rose Young, Age 8, St. Vladimir/Parma, OH. My faith, hope and love is shown when I go to Sunday School to learn more about our Father, Son and the Holy Spirit |
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B4 - Caden Sullo - Age 8 - St. Michael/Woonsocket, RI. When I think of the Lord making Heaven and Earth, I think of nature, trees and the ocean. The Lord helps me process all the information that I read. |
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B6 - Thea Senedak - Age 8 - St. Vladimir/Pittsburgh, PA. I love to draw. I have faith in myself, I hope one day the world will be at peace. |
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B10 - Zoe Aussermeier - Age 7 - Holy Trinity/Trenton, NJ - |
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B11 - Max Felton - Age 8 - ST. John Baptist/Portland, OR. |
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C4 - Libby Sullo - Ages 12 - St. Michael/Woonsocket, RI. Hearing about hills and mountains, the though of a church on a hill became a picture in my head. When I think of praying I think of going to church or being alone. The sound of running water is pea |
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C5 - Joseph Sullo - Age 12 - St. Michael/Woonsocket, RI. God helps me whenever I need help, in multiple ways. For example, if I’m about to do something bad, like taking a bag of chips I’m not supposed to, He will say, “No, don’t do that!” I can |
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C6 - Veronika Zehernet - Age 10 - ST. John Baptist/Portland, OR. Faith, Hope and Love - I love my family. |
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D1 - Kira Vyhovska - Age 16 - St. Vladimir/Parma. Winner |
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D2 - Mary Kokuavshilli - Age 17 - St. Peter & ST. Paul Carnegie. Runner Up |
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D3 - Danica Ost - Age 13 - Assumption of Mary/Northampton, PA. inside each word Faith, Hope and Love there are people showing an exaple of what each means. I made it like the cover of a book, like the Bible. |
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D4 - Theodore Nixon - Age 18 (adaptive entry) St. Peter & ST. Paul/Carnegie, PA. God helps me through my church in (my hometown), All Saints Camp and through art. He gives me love and help. |
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Group A - Ages 4-6 Anna Logvynyuk - St. Vladimir Parma, OH the ukrainian flag is next to the church. We pray for Ukraine to God to save the Ukrainian people, Like I sve lady bugs from the water. |
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Group B - Ages 7 -9 Viktoriya Vygovska St. Vladimir, Parma, OH A soldier prays on his knees for Ukraine. GOd makeds life better. |
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Group C - Ages 10 - 12 Tatianna Korotynsky St. Vladimir, Philadelphia, PA As the sunflower symbolizes beauty in Ukraine, we pray that Ukraine will continue to flourish throughout the hardships of war. |
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Group D - Ages 13 - 18 Anastasiia Chyvevska St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies |
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Group E - College Ages & Overall People's Choice- Sophia Zharsky Holy Trinity, Trenton, NJ When we pray for Ukraine, I see her in flames and mourning from Russian aggressions. But I believe that light will overcome evil. |
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Overall People's Choice - Yulya Zubko Holy Ascension, Maplewood, NJ |
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Group A - Ages 4 -6 Melania St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies, Parma, OH |
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Group A People's Choice - Leo Messerly - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies, Parma, OH - Go to church and pray for Ukraine. |
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Group B - Ages 7-9 Kira Vyhovska St. Vladimir, Parma, OH - Putin stop war in Ukraine! |
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Group B - Ages 7-9 Daniel K. St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies |
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Group C - Ages 10 - 12 Ivanka Sheremeta St. Michael/St. George Minneapolis, MN |
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Group C People's Choice - Tatianna Korotynsky St. Vladimir Philadelphia, PA - As the sunflower symbolizes beauty in Ukraine, we pray that Ukraine will continue to flourish throughout the hardships of war. |
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Group D - Ages 13 - 18 Taras St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies |
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Group D People's Choice - Vasylko St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Group E - College Age Victoria Swindle - My entry is a watercolor of a girl praying before an icon of Jesus Christ. On the wall there is also a painting of a Ukrainian village home. My Ukrainian Orthodox faith is at the forefront of my life. |
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Dianna - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies |
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Viktoriya Dudyak - St. Vladimir, Parma, OH I draw my church where I pray for Ukraine |
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Lucas - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Daniel - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Yuliana - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Sasha - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Veronika - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Alina - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Peter - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Kateryna - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Max - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Teodore - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Yana Lehan - Age 6 - St. Michael/St. George, Minneapolis, MN |
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Sviatoslava Turka - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies |
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Evelinka - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies |
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Caden Sullo - Age 5 - St. Michael, Woonsocket, RI |
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Dima - St. John Baptist, Portland, OR |
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St. John Baptist, Portland, OR |
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St. John Baptist, Portland, OR |
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St. John Baptist, Portland, OR - I pray for Ukraine. I wish for Ukraine to be safe. |
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Mykola Mahlay - Age 8 - St. Vladimir, Parma, OH The colorful rainbow means for good, happiness and no sin. The sun gives the light to see God. Light means freedom. The sunflower stands up for the nation of Ukraine. The bells warn people before danger |
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Yana - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Alexa - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Adelina - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Eva Kulbanska - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Isabel Garcia - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Andriy - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Maksim - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Anatoliy Yulynyuk - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Marko - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Eva Yushynyn - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Dianna - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Aleksander - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Ostap Dorosh - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Veronika - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Anna Lahan - Age 8 - St. Michael/St. George, Minneapolis, MN |
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Arsenii Hot - Age 7 - Holy Ascension, Maplewood, NJ |
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Timyr Kohdryshyn - Age 9 - Holy Ascension, Maplewood, NJ |
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Thomas Romanowski - Age 9 - Holy Ascension, Maplewood, NJ |
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Liberty Sullo - Age 9 - St. Michael, Woonsocket, RI |
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Eva Harris - Age 7 - St. Michael, Woonsocket, RI |
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Evelyn Skocypec - Age 9 - St. Michael, Woonsocket, RI |
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Joseph Sullo - Age 9 - St. Michael, Woonsocket, RI |
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St. John Baptist, Portland, OR |
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St. John Baptists, Portland, OR |
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Vika - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Danica Ost - Age 10 - Assumption of Virgin Mary, North Hampton, PA These are my hands praying for Ukraine. |
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Sophie Cole - Age 10 - St. Michael, Woonsocket, RI |
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Constantine Ivasiv - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Sofia - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Solomiia Meilnychyuk - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies |
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Zahar - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Bozhenna Bykalo - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Matvii Cherkasii - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Mariia - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Oleh Fetsyak -Age 15 - St. John Baptist, Portland, OR I pray for Ukraine by going to the church and doing my best to serve in the altar. I spread the word to my friends so that they pray with me. The biggest prayer that I give to Ukraine is praying for |
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Maria - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Roksolana - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Solomiya - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Mykola Logvynyuk |
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Daria - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Emilia - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Ryslan - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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anton - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Dmytro - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Anna - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
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Kira - St. Vladimir School of Ukrainian Studies Parma, OH |
Thank you to all of our entries and winners! There are four age categories to view. Hover over each piece of art to read what the entrants parish means to them. Click on the art work for a better view! Placements are listed within the text.
2019 Judges - Thank you!
Michael Andrec - UOC Consistory Office of Archieves - Archivist
Fr. Vasyl Dovgan - Pastor, St. Nicholas UOC - Troy, NY
Natalia Honcharenko - Ukrainian History and Education Center - South Bound Brook, NJ
Vitaliy Hrytsay - Owner Vitaliy Hrytsay Business Signage - Philadelphia, PA
Elizabeth Symonenko - Editor - Ukrainian Orthodox Word
2018 Faith & Photography Winners
We are pleased to congratulate this year's winners of the Faith & Photography Contest! To view the larger photo, view the slideshow. Hover over the image to learn about the contestant and how their photo was important to the history of their parish.
(6 images)
