KYIV. Synodal Department for Prison Ministry of the UOC organized the exhibition “Christmas Patterns” of the works of artistic and applied art by the imprisoned

On January 15, at the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr, the solemn opening of the All-Ukraine exhibition "Christmas Fretwork", dedicated to the feast of nativity of Christ,   of the works of artistic and applied arts by imprisoned. 
The organizers of the exhibition were the Synodal Department of the UOC for Pastoral Care of the Penitentiary System together with the State Department for Execution of Penalties and the national Kyiv-Pechersk Historical Culture Reserve.    

The exhibition presents the objects of art on Christmas themes, manufactured by the imprisoneds, and its participants became some 120 people serving the sentence. After the exhibition was announced in December previous year, the local branch offices of the State Department selected the best works and sent them to the central office of the State Department of Ukraine for Execution of Penalties. There are more than 130 objects at this exhibition, representing almost all territorial branch offices of the Department.

At the blessing of the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church the exhibition was opened by Vicar of the Kyiv Metropolis, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Religious Education and Catechization Bishop Ilary of Makariv. Vladyka conducted the prayer service at the Refectory Church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, following which he addressed those attending with archpastoral word. Then the concert of Christmas carols and the presentation of the exhibit items were held in the building №20, the gallery "Nef" of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Invited to the exhibition were the representatives of the state authorities, the publicity, creative intelligence etc.     

At the opening the deputy chief of the administration for social-psychological work of the State Department of Ukraine for Execution of Penalties, colonel of internal service Bezorchuk O.L. mentioned that the aim of holding such events is propagation of spiritual tradition of the Ukrainian nation and the values of the Christian culture, promotion of bringing up in the imprisoned of the healthy habit and morality, law-abiding behavior, effective occupancy at leisure.

Also addressing those present was head of the Synodal Department of the UOC for Pastoral Care of the Penitentiary System priest Victor Yatsenko: It has become a good tradition to acquaint the community with religious visual art of the imprisoned.  The most part of the exhibits testifies that in spite of imperfect professional level the creativity itself is motivated by religious inspiration and the desire to touch the sanctity. Many similar iconographic works decorate the churches and prayer rooms in the places of confinement. The organizers of the exhibition hope that it will be interested for the general public and will invoke readiness to help the imprisoned fell necessary for the society".     

The chief of the academic research department for study of museum affairs of the National Kyiv-Pechersk Reserve Oleg Topilko reported on the significance of this project and on the artistic message of the works.   

The exhibition will be held at the gallery "Nef" of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra till January 22, following which the exhibited works of the imprisoned will be presented at "Soborna" gallery of the UOC (Zaliznychne shosse, 3, metro station Lybidska).

Information service of the Synodal Department for Pastoral care of the Penitentiary system