Roman, a Ukrainian war veteran, stood silently for a moment before the icon of the Virgin Mary, leaning on his crutches. Respectfully laying them down, as he would with a weapon on the battlefield, he lay down to pray. He did not kneel, for he had lost one of his legs in a trench in Eastern Ukraine. Drawing comfort from his faith, he kissed the icon and whispered something only the Virgin Mary could hear. His fellow veterans followed, seeking the same spiritual solace.

Roman was part of a group of 24 Ukrainian veterans who, suffering from post-traumatic stress, traveled to Mount Athos to pray and find peace. The war had left them with both physical and emotional scars, and the experience had dramatically changed their lives. His amputated life led him into the shadows of despair, but psychological support programs and a search for escape through activities like mountaineering helped him recover.

There, at Mount Athos, the other veterans also found refuge for their souls, seeking tranquility through prayer. While physical activity relieved them, their greatest support came from spiritual renewal. With the guidance of military chaplains, the psychological support program provided the soldiers with the opportunity to heal their emotional wounds. There, between prayer and faith, they sought peace to continue their lives, leaving behind the horrors of war.