On August 26, 2025, Bishop Michael of Komana (Anishchenko), the Ecumenical Patriarch’s Exarch in Ukraine, attended celebrations in the Jewish town of Anatevka, located in the Sviatoshynskyi district of Kyiv region. The event took place at the invitation of Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Asman.
The celebration combined several significant milestones. The community inaugurated the Matityahu House, named in honor of the late hero Matityahu Samborsky, the son of Rabbi Asman, as well as the Alley of Heroes, dedicated to Jewish soldiers who gave their lives defending Ukraine. The day also featured a traditional Jewish wedding (chuppah), symbolizing the continuation of life despite profound loss. Additionally, the community marked the tenth anniversary of Anatevka, established in 2015 as a haven for Jewish families displaced by Russian aggression. Over the past decade, Anatevka has become not only a refuge but also a spiritual and educational center, offering hope, support, and prayer to hundreds of people.
Bishop Michael was invited to cut the ribbon at the opening of one of the Matityahu House entrances, a symbolic gesture of trust and interfaith solidarity that characterized the entire event.
Among the distinguished guests were U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Ukraine Julie D. Fisher, Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky, Polish Chargé d’Affaires Piotr Łukasiewicz, Israeli Minister of Religious Services Michael Malchieli, and other dignitaries.
The day was not only an occasion to honor the memory of the fallen and stand in solidarity with those who have suffered loss, but also a testament that even during the darkest times of war, it is possible to build new homes, nurture hope, and create a future founded on faith, mutual respect, and love for one’s neighbor.
