“Faith over firepower”: Izyum parishioners rebuild church destroyed by Russia

Espreso shares the stories of local residents who endured the Russian occupation and their efforts to rebuild their homes after liberation.

When Russian troops occupied the eastern Ukrainian town of Izyum, they left a trail of destruction in their wake—including churches. But locals, like Serhii Mykolayovych, are refusing to let the devastation define their future.

“I am a builder. I’ve built homes, churches—even my own house, with my own hands,” Serhii said. “Then the Russians came. They looted everything, and finally, they hit my house with a tank. It was gone.”

Despite losing nearly everything, Serhii and others are now helping to reconstruct the Baptist house of prayer that was bombed by Russian forces on March 6, 2022. He says it’s a mission powered by faith, not just bricks.

“When I saw what was left, I couldn’t believe it. But now we’re building again. We have to,” he said.

Over 80 percent of Izyum was destroyed during the six-month occupation. Yet, with every brick laid, the community is proving that its spirit—and its faith—remain unbroken.