Godyna was born in Poltava in 1921. He studied at Kharkov Art School, then in 1945-1950 – at Moscow State Art Institute. In 1941-1945 he was an artist of the Grekov Studio of Military Painting. From 1942 Godyna took part in art exhibitions.

He was a member of  the Artists Union of the USSR and had a title of Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation. Godyna was a professor at Stroganov University of Arts and Industry.

Godyna took part in World War II, and was decorated with the Medal for the Victory Over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945.

Works of Godyna S. M.