“In today’s story is a chaplain who not only spiritually supports our defenders, but personally takes civilians out of the shelling. He became a father and an example for many children. Russian propaganda hates him… He is located in dangerous places and chooses a dangerous direction, because he understands that’s where he’s needed the most,” says the introduction to the film.
Gennadiy Mokhnenko – military chaplain, pastor, founder and director of Children rehabilitation center “Pilgrim Republic”, originally from Mariupol city and the father of 38 children, 3 of which are biological.
He is also known for his social initiatives and large-scale projects in protection of children whose parents are deprived of parental rights. He’s also a hero of numerous documentaries about raising children in large families, ministry in the church and charity.

The film tells about the ministry of Gennadiy during the war, which broke into his house back in 2014. That time he and some of his adoptive sons worked at the frontline and supported Ukrainian soldiers. From February 24th, 2022, when the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began, on that day chaplain with his team under shelling rescued people from under the fire and evacuated residents of the city.

Gennadiy Mokhnenko: “… Since 2014, being a bishop of one of the Christian
churches, we realized that we automatically became chaplains. Coming to the soldiers at the frontline, like a priest, you not only bring food, clothes, medicine, but you sit down to have tea with them, and then they talk … I have to have very serious conversations with people in the trenches who never seriously thought about religious questions before. We have a rule – we never leave without a prayer”.

In 2015, award-winning Hollywood director Steve Hoover also filmed a documentary about a minister called “Almost Holly”. The premiere of this documentary about Gennadiy Mokhnenko took place at the prestigious festival in New York.
“Almost Holy” received many awards (even was nominated for “Oscar”) and was rated 98% by professional critics on Rotten Tomatoes.