Nestor Dolnytsky

Nestor Dolnytsky, son of Rev. Mykhailo and Emilia Dolnytsky, was born on September 23, 1858 in the village of Markopil, Zolochiv county, Ukraine. He was christened by his father's stepfather Rev. Hryhorij Rachynsky, the vice deacon and parish priest in the village of Zalozhtsi Nova. The witnesses were Rev. Josyp Avdykovych, the priest form the village of Jaseniv and Julia, wife of Rev. Zhukovetsky. He studied at the Chernivetsky high school, but never completed his studies. He tended to his father's homestead in Zozulyntsi.

After his father's death, with the start of the 20th century, Nestor lived with a village woman named Sofia, daughter of Mykhailo and Paraska Ilnytsky. He lived with her all of his live "living in faith", never getting married.

This was forbidden, as this lifestyle was not appropriate for the son of a priest, created a lot of consternation within the family which led to the severance of family ties. His brothers stopped having any contact with him. This lasted for many years. In 1902 his first son Oleksander was born. At the baptism his brother Rev. Kyrylo wrote in the metrical book the surname of the mother; Nestor's surname, as the illegitimate father was not recorded. Written in 1937 by Rev. Kyrylo in his own handwriting was the following: "Ludicium castrense in Zaleszczyki NC. II.50/37 ligitimo decreto de die 11.III.1937 ratificavit pactum adoptionis, quo infant hoca Nestor Dolnicki adoptatum est. Adoptatus debet profuturo uti congnomine "Ilnicki-Dolnicki".

As remembered by Oleh Dolnytsky (author of the "Litopys of the Dolnytsky Family"), the hard work of a village farmer and a hereditary disease (deforming spinal arthritis) paid the toll on Nestor's situation; in his senior years he walked with a hunchback and was leaning downwards while walking with a cane in his hand. The younger descendents of the Dolnytsky family were in friendly relations with his sons Oleksander ("Sandyk") and Yurij, and also acted courteously towards Nestor.

The final time that the author saw his uncle Nestor, was at the funeral of his grandfather Rev. Kyrylo: Nestor was standing with sadness in his face, with tears shining in his eyes. Finally, death brought forgiveness to both of them - brothers, yet so different in behaviour and worldview.

After the First World War the family ties with Nestor improved, but remained strained for some time. In addition to Oleksander, Nestor's family had two additional children: Yurij and Khrystyna.

Nestor Dolnytsky died in 1943. He was buried at the old cemetery in the village of Zozulyntsi.