Interview with Olha Chaplia

What is your research about? 

I specialize in early Ukrainian literature, with a particular focus on medieval preaching and Baroque poetry, especially metaphysical poetry. My dissertation examines the poetics and rhetoric of the Sermon on Law and Grace, a text written in Kyiv in the first half of the 11th century. This work is special because it was written by Metropolitan Ilarion and is the first dated text in Ukrainian literature. It was created shortly after Christianity was adopted as the official religion of Kyivan Rus. Ilarion’s position as the head of the Kyivan Church adds a theological layer to the text, which is integral to my interdisciplinary research.  

Given the nearly thousand-year gap between the author and his intended audience and myself as a reader and researcher, my research also necessitates a deep understanding of history. The intersection of literature, theology, and the history of my people is what makes this research particularly meaningful to me and provides a rich, multidimensional perspective on early Ukrainian culture. 
 
What first sparked your interest in this topic? 

I have always been drawn to the connections between the very old and the ‘new’, and I find these links both surprising and fascinating. Reflecting on my academic journey, I realize that much of where I am today is due to the influence of my teachers, who instilled in me a deep love for early Ukrainian literature and helped me understand its complexities. One teacher who truly stands out in this regard is Dr. Nazar Fedorak, my dissertation supervisor, who has been an invaluable mentor throughout my research journey over the past decade. I am endlessly grateful to him for guiding me through this process, and it is a great joy and responsibility to be part of the community of researchers focused on old Ukrainian literature. 

My interest in 11th century literature began with my earlier passion for 17th and 18th century Ukrainian poetry, which in turn grew from my love of Ukrainian Baroque music, especially choral music. I can't help but feel that, in studying the culture of the Ukrainian past, I am also discovering more about myself. It feels like a journey of both personal and academic growth, where the study of old texts and the rich traditions of my heritage are deeply intertwined with my own identity. 

Have you faced any challenges conducting research?  

Researching the Sermon on Law and Grace can undoubtedly present several challenges. These include historical and contextual gaps, language barriers, interpretive complexities, and limited scholarship. However, these are common hurdles faced by any researcher studying the Middle Ages, and rather than acting as obstacles, they became intriguing challenges that I was eager to overcome. 

Obviously, the war has brought many challenges to every Ukrainian. Being in a constant state of stress and worrying about your family and friends who are fighting, it is sometimes difficult to force yourself to continue working and have to convince yourself that it makes sense when you see news every morning about more and more Ukrainians killed by Russians. 

How would you describe your experience at CEES and the Petro Jacyk Program for the Study of Ukraine? 

Working on the Sermon on Law and Grace and exploring its theological meanings has already had a profound and deeply personal impact on me. I’ve been learning to recognize Grace in everything around me. I can say with certainty that my time in Toronto feels like a great gift from God. Above all, it’s the people I’ve encountered here who have made this experience so meaningful. The ongoing support from Olga Kesarchuk has been invaluable, as have my conversations with Edward Schatz. I am also very grateful to my mentor Yaroslav Skira for his support and for our meaningful discussions. Recently, I also had the pleasure of speaking at the 2025 Centre for European and Eurasian Studies International Graduate Student Conference. It was incredibly enriching to connect with so many inspiring individuals at this event and I look forward to collaborating with them in the future. 

Lastly, I am very grateful for the opportunity to spend time on such a beautiful campus, where even the architecture reflects a perfect blend of history and modernity. In addition to my office and the library, another place I often visit is the Sheptytsky Institute. It has become a small island of home within the university, offering a space for worship and prayer in the Chapel of St. Sophia. Here, I can practice my faith and feel a deep connection to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. It was also here that I gave the first presentation of my research in Toronto. The level of interest in Ukrainian culture among both students and guests was inspiring, and the support I received from respected professors was truly invaluable. I am deeply grateful for this enriching experience.  

What is one exciting thing you’re looking forward to this year? 

My time at the University of Toronto is already soon coming to an end. However, I am very excited to travel in Canada this spring and to present at the annual conference of the Canadian Association of Slavists, which will be held at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. This conference is a significant platform for sharing my research, and I recognize that this opportunity would not have been possible without the experiences and support I’ve gained at the University of Toronto. Following the conference, I will return to Ukraine. While it’s difficult to predict what the future holds, the lessons I continue to draw from the Sermon on Law and Grace, the first text in Ukrainian literature, remind me to remain open to Grace and to strive for Truth in all its forms.