Ancient artform of Ukrainian Easter eggs preserves culture, history of a nation under attack. ‘It’s like writing a prayer or a message.’

While the artform originated in pagan times, it was later intertwined with religion when Ukraine accepted Christianity in 988 A.D. Pysanky were traditionally written during the last week of Lent by women of the family, who would gather, pray, and use patterns and colors typically handed down from mother to daughter for generations, Chychula said.