The Cross of Peace
A Monument Forged from the Ashes of War
The Cross of Peace by Sergey Melnikoff (MFF) is a monumental sculptural composition created from authentic fragments of war.
The figure of Christ is assembled from 20,000 fragments of ammunition, each preserved in its original form, without reshaping or alteration.
The cross itself is constructed from metal elements taken from destroyed residential buildings.
The image is not depicted.
It is formed from the material of destruction.
Materials & Technique
- Fragments of artillery shells, mines, and ammunition.
- Steel elements salvaged from destroyed high-rise residential buildings in Kharkiv and Odesa.
- Hand-selected and assembled using electric welding.
- Multi-layered sculptural construction.
- All fragments preserved in their original form, without reshaping.
- Created within the Ashes of War technique.
Key Details
- Monumental installation, approx. 4 meters in height; approx. 1 tonne in weight.
- Figure composed of 20,000 authentic fragments, each preserved in its original form, and gilded with 999.9 fine gold.
- Developed in collaboration with master welder Viktor Bielchyk.
- Created in Ukraine during active war.
Essay
The Cross of Peace is a reconstruction of a sacred image through the material of war.
The body of Christ is assembled from 20,000 fragments of ammunition, each preserved in its original form, without reshaping or alteration. The cross itself is constructed from metal elements taken from destroyed residential buildings.
The material is not neutral.
It carries memory.
The cross is composed in the visual language of the three principal Christian traditions — Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant.
From this union, it derives its name, The Cross of Peace.
Within the composition, the fragments are brought into order. What was created for destruction becomes a form of stillness.
The work does not erase suffering.
It gives it form.
Consecration
The sculptural composition The Cross of Peace with the Golden Crucifix was solemnly consecrated at the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Basilian Monastery of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Pidhirtsi, Lviv Region.
The rite of blessing was performed by Reverend Father Porfiry on 14 February 2025.
The act places the work within a living liturgical tradition.
Consecration of “The Cross of Peace with the Golden Crucifix”.
Basilian Monastery of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Pidhirtsi, Lviv Region. 14 February 2025.
“The Cross of Peace” in Ivano-Frankivsk.
Television report by Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Television “Halychyna”.
Dimensions: 4 m (13 feet) high
Weight: approx. 700 kg
Provenance:
The Soul of Ukraine Foundation, Inc. (since creation)
The head of the crucified Christ is composed of numerous fragments of artillery shells and mines, each no larger than a child’s fingernail.
“The Cross of Peace with the Golden Crucifix” exhibited across Ukraine during a winter 2025 tour, including frontline regions.
The full photographic record of the tour is presented in the gallery.
Press:
Featured in international media.
Details available upon request or in the Press section.