Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit, Chetfalva

The name of the village of Csethfalfa in Zakarpattia is as unusual for the Ukrainian language as the appearance of its landmark, the Church of the Holy Spirit, is for Ukrainian architecture. This is not surprising, as the village is located just one kilometer from the Hungarian border, and most of its residents are Hungarians. Therefore, local life and architecture are colored by the national flavor of this country.

Work on the Church of the Holy Spirit began in 1998. Three years later, in 2001, it was consecrated and services began to be held. The architects and builders were local craftsmen. It is interesting, but also quite unusual, that services in the shrine are held alternately for local Greek and Roman Catholics. There are no disputes between the parishioners.

An interesting fact: in Soviet times, the village had the "Slavicized" name of Chetovo. Despite the fact that the original place name has long been restored, you will not find Chetfalva on many maps, but instead the old Soviet equivalent.

The Catholic Church in Cefalva looks like a giant Easter egg and at the same time resembles the Sydney Opera House with its sharp-rounded shapes. Its architecture combines Art Nouveau and Gothic, and the interior also features Baroque motifs. Its bell tower also has an unusual arch shape for Christian churches. It is made in the shape of a parabola.

Since worship is held here for two denominations, the altar area combines an exquisite iconostasis with a magnificent wood-carved crucifix. It is decorated with a vine that winds upward from the foot of the Tree of Life to the dove, a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Candlesticks, a cauldron, bowls for holy water - all these interior elements are surprisingly skillfully made of wood. They are decorated with Baroque mannered curves, floral ornaments, and motifs of twisted shapes. At the same time, the church does not look overloaded, but rather strikes with its simplicity and perfection of form.

A few steps away from the Church of the Holy Spirit, one can see another, much older church, the unique Reformed Church of the 15th century. Its thirty-meter-high wooden bell tower, reminiscent of the Hogwarts spires from the Harry Potter films, is visible immediately upon entering the village.

Its peculiar construction raises certain questions, not to mention the fact that it has a crucifix and an iconostasis nearby. The church is used by both Roman and Greek Catholics to hold services in turn.

You won't have to look for the Church of the Holy Spirit for too long - it is located right in the center of the village of Chetfalva. From Uzhhorod, buses Uzhhorod-Vynohradiv run here three times a day. There is also a convenient connection to the district center of Berehove.