Ukrainian Congregations Find Solace as Wartime Winter Nears

Each week, NPR’s international correspondents share personal snapshots of life abroad in the series Far-Flung Postcards. In Ukraine, communities are gathering in churches, seeking comfort and strength. They are preparing for a second full winter since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. The approaching cold brings familiar fears: energy blackouts, heating shortages, and intensified attacks on civilian infrastructure. For many, houses of worship provide a crucial space for spiritual and practical support. These gatherings offer a brief respite from the constant anxiety of war. They are a place to share burdens, find community, and maintain hope during a long and difficult season.