As a child, Stephanie Cheeseman was taught by her mother and grandmother the Ukranian art of painting Pysanky eggs, a tradition inspired by an old Ukranian legend. A parishioner of Holly Cross, Dunn Loring, and herself a Ukrainian-American, Stephanie has been teaching this art form for years.
After the war broke out in Ukraine, Stephanie approached the church about using these classes as a fundraiser for the Episcopal Relief and Development Ukraine Crisis Fund. The program at Holy Cross started in the spring just after the invasion, and has so far raised $6,409 to aid Ukrainians in crisis. Funds are also being raised through the sale of eggs as Advent ornaments.
Pysanky eggs are inspired by an old Ukranian legend about an evil monster who is chained to a cliff to keep him from destroying the world. The eggs have the power to strengthen the chains and the more eggs made, the stronger the chains become. Evil is kept at bay through the actions of the people.
As war ravages Ukraine, the act of painting eggs this year has taken on new meaning and a greater purpose for Stephanie and other parishioners at Holy Cross. More Coverage: Watch the CBS News story. Read Washington Post article. See more images.