(Pictured above: one of Serhii’s projects which has survived a devastating fire) 

Serhii Kolodka was born in a small town outside of Lviv (considered cultural capital of Ukraine) called Zamochok in 1985. From a very early age he was interested in painting and fine arts. First surfaces that saw his work were children books, school desks and walls at home. One of the most influential and inspiring people in his life was his father Mykola who was an artist himself. After graduating high school Serhii enrolled in Lyceum of Fine Arts with specialization in glass and stained glass where he studied for 2 years. At the age of 23 Serhii was invited to join a team in writing icons in churches. In 2011, to further his studies he entered Lviv National Academy of Arts from where he graduated with Bachelors of Arts four years later. For his final paper he chose the scene of Last and Dreadful Judgement. 

One of the projects that Serhii is quite proud of is founding of Workshop for Iconographers on Mount Saint George in Lviv as part of Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Lviv. He is also a co-founder of the Association of Iconographers of Ukraine that united all iconographers of Ukraine. So far, Serhii has 8 churches that he decorated under his belt (Holy Eucharist Cathedral in New Westminster is one of them), 4 iconostasis, and countless stained glass windows. (Click here to view some of Serhii’s work.)

Serhii’s passion is to work in realism. However, to all his work he adds theology and symbolism of an Eastern Icon. 

Right after the Russian invasion, Serhii fled Ukraine with his 3 children. Having had the chance to develop close ties with the community of Holy Eucharist Cathedral, New Westminster became a natural safe haven for their family.  In the video below, Serhii and his family recall the story of how they left Ukraine. 

Upon arrival in order to deal with stress and fear Serhii started doing what is so dear to his heart - painting.  Watch the video below to see Serhii’s work on the dome of Holy Eucharist Cathedral. 

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