In the village of Yunakivka in Sumy Raion, right on the border with Russia, stands the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos — one of the finest examples of early classicism not only in Sumy region but in all of Ukraine. It was completed in 1806, presumably funded by Prince and Chamberlain Mykhailo Holitsyn. The church has long been abandoned, and in 2024 it was damaged by Russian strikes.
The Village’s Finest Church
Of the three churches in Yunakivka, this was the best. The monolithic brick building with chamfered corners has a cross-domed structure and two tiers: the lower was a winter church and mirrored the plan of the upper one. The facades are decorated with columned porticos with pediments seemingly “embedded” into the walls. Around the central dome are four cupolas with round windows; their brick vaults once crowned lanterns with crosses, which were lost along with the roofs. For strength, the building was reinforced with forged metal ties. The interiors were adorned with paintings along with stucco floral patterns.
A separate brick bell tower stands nearby; three of its tiers remain, but the bells and the upper part are gone.
Destruction
As early as 2011, the church was abandoned and in a semi-ruined state, with the bell tower’s portico columns leaning. On November 15, 2024, it became known that the Russian army had damaged the church: wooden scaffolding around it burned down, one of the domes was broken through, and the bell tower and spires crumbled.
How to Get There
Yunakivka is in Sumy Raion, near the border with Russia.
What to Consider
Yunakivka is a border village that is constantly shelled; entry to border communities may be restricted. Do not plan a trip here without checking the security situation and decisions of the Sumy Regional Military Administration — if there is danger, it is better to cancel the trip.
