Bay Curious The Ukrainian Rebel Priest of Hayward
Jan 29, 2026
Rachael Myrow, investigative reporter who unearthed the life of Agapius Honcharenko, narrates a globe‑spanning tale. Hear about his exile from the Russian empire, daring escapes, early Ukrainian publishing in America, and the Hayward farmstead named Ukraina. The segment traces his radical sermons, community rituals, and the enduring local memorial that keeps his story alive.
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Annual Memorial Hike Honors Honcharenko
- Rachael Myrow describes an annual memorial hike honoring Agapius Honcharenko at Park Ukraina where local Ukrainian churches pray at his grave.
- Attendees view his life as cinematic, celebrating his escapes from Russian forces and global travels.
Faith Fueled Radical Reformism
- Rachael Myrow explains Honcharenko combined deep Christian faith with progressive politics, opposing serfdom and church wealth.
- His reformist sermons and writings marked him as a dissident within the Orthodox hierarchy and Russian state.
Arrest, Daring Escape, And Global Wanderings
- Rachael Myrow recounts Honcharenko's arrest, imprisonment on a Russian warship, and a bribery-assisted escape via family connections.
- He later traveled widely, using language and printing skills to survive and agitate for change.