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Kiev
(Kyiv) Churches and Cathedrals.
“The city of 200 churches”, “the city of golden domes” and “the Jerusalem of the
lands of Rus” – These were words that foreign merchants used to describe the
glory and splendor of Kyiv in eastern and western lands.
Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the
Caves)
Sichnevoho
Povstannya Street, 21, metro stop "Arsenal'na"
The Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Ukrainian: Києво-Печерська лавра; Russian: Киево-Печерская лавра), also known as the Kiev Monastery
of the Caves, is an ancient cave monastery in Kiev. It was founded in 1051 by monks Anthony and Theodosius, and
has become an important center of Orthodox Christianity in Kievan Rus'. It's
ongoing development and construction followed for the
next 9 centuries. The word "pechera" means cave in the
Slavic tongue. The word "lavra" is used to describe high ranking monasteries of
the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Lavra buildings looked like small towns
with their own streets. In Greek "lavra"
means "the street".
Squares Streets Parks Monuments Museums Operas
and Theatres Bridges
Thusly,
the name of the monastery is also
translated as Kiev Cave Monastery, Kiev Caves Monastery or the
Kiev Monastery on the Caves (на печерах). According to the Russian Primary Chronicle, in the
early 11th century,
Antony, a Greek
Orthodox monk from Esphigmenon monastery
on Mount Athos, originally
from Liubech of the Grand Principality of
Chernigov, returned to Rus' and settled in Kiev as a missionary of monastic tradition to Kievan Rus'. He
chose a cave at the Berestov Mount that
overlooked the Dnipro
River and a community of disciples soon grew. Knyaz (prince) Iziaslav of Kiev ceded the whole mount to the
Antonite monks who founded a monastery built by architects from Constantinople.
For
more than 900 years the imperishable bodies of the
monastery's founders - the Venerable Anthony
and Theodosius, Agapit the healer, Nestor the Chronicler,
and relics of another 118 saints lie here.
There
are 102 stone structures set in a 26 hectares
area, which are recognized architectural monuments.There
are also many wonderful paintings, works of arts,
old-painted books and crafts.
St Sophia's Cathedral
Volodymyrs'ka
Street, 24, metro stop "Zoloti Vorota" Web
Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev (Ukrainian: Собор Святої Софії, Sobor Svyatoyi Sofiyi or
Софійський собор, Sofiys'kyi sobor) is an outstanding
architectural monument from the Kievan Rus' era. Today, it is one
of the city's best known landmarks.
The cathedral's name comes from the Hagia Sophia cathedral in Constantinople,
Greece. "Sofia"
also means "wisdom" in Greek. The first foundations were laid in 1037 by prince Yaroslav I the Wise. The exterior was
covered with plinths. The
cathedral has 5 naves, 5 apses, and, quite surprisingly for a Byzantine structure,
13 cupolas (domes). The azure and white bell tower is 76meters high and was finished
in 1752. It is surrounded by
two-tier galleries from three sides. On the inside, it has mosaics and frescos from the 11th century,
which were created with a unique technology,
depicting Scriptural scenes, individual figures of
Church Fathers, Apostles, maidens and warriors.
This
majestic cathedral became a holy place of worship
for Kyivany, as well as a politicial and cultural center.
It was also known as a seat of the Kiev Metropolitan.
The first known library in ancient Rus and the first
school for boys and girls were both founded by Yaroslav
the Wise.
The cathedral achieved its present Ukrainian baroque aspect after its reconstruction in the late 17th century, being
completed in 1707.
In 1934 the structure was confiscated by
the Soviets and designated as
an architectural and historical museum/reserve, including the surrounding
17th/18th century architectural ensemble.. The cathedral was the first
Ukrainian patrimony to be included in the World Heritage List.
St. Michael's
Golden Domed Cathedral
Mykhailivska ploscha
This multi-tiered
church complex is situated just opposite Sophia Cathedral and seems to
reign on the steep bank of the Dnipro in all its glory.Originally
built by a grandson of Yaroslav the Wise, Kiev Prince
Sviatopolk Izyaslavovich in 1108, this cathedral
was one of the biggest monasteries of ancient Kyiv.
St. Michael's Cathedral, hallowed in the name of Kyiv's saint patron - Archangel
Michael. Since the beginning of the thirteenth century the Monastery had kept its
prized sacred
object - St. Martyr Barbara's relics. Now the relics reside at St. Vladimir's
Cathedral.
"The substantial stone construction started in 1710,
, when the
stone refectory, three-tiered belfry and the Cathedrals two large side-chapels were
erected. The latter's construction was filled unsuccessfully, and, as a result the
Cathedral started to decline in ruin.. In 1740- a reinforcment of the abutments to
strengthen the walls was done. In 1888 the cathedral was equipped with radiator heating,
which also required certain rennovations.
The most noteable construction at the end of the nineteenth -
the beginning of the twentieth centuries was the so-called "Inn-court".
The Hotel complex of St. Michael's Monastery was built in 5 phases during the period
between 1857 and 1907. It became second only to the hotel at the Lavra, as
the largest hotel in Kyiv. In addition, in 1898 another
noteable building was added; St. Barbara's
section.. Thus, was created the "background structure" of the
Monastery.
The Cathedral's original
interior was adorned with Old-Rus'
mosaics and frescos. Some of them were discovered during the reconstruction of
1888. The Cathedral's famous altar mosaic composition "Evcharistia" was
preserved, and is on exhibit now in St. Sofia Cathedral. Some of the single
fresco and mosaic images are now kept in museums of Moscow and St. Petersburg."
(read more HERE)
St. Michael's Golden Domed Cathedral and some of
the Monastery buildings were destroyed in 1934 through
1936 by the Soviet regime of the mid-30s in keeping
with their anti-religious propaganda for building a
Soviet government center instead. (Currently the
Ministry
of Foreign affairs building).
Its
reconstruction of the original site was completed in 2000 and is a sign
of spiritual rebirth of Kiev. The sky blue exterior
and glittering golden domes seem a bit too new and
shiny for this ancient city, but they are certainly
stunning.
Orthodox and Eastern rite faithful celebrate Christmas on January 7, in
accordance with the Julian calendar. Celebrations are usually held at Mykhaylivska square near St. Michael's Cathedral in Kyiv. A stage
is erected near the Cathedral for traditional Ukrainian Christmas
performances that are held to entertain the public. Choir's are singing "
kolyadky and shchedrivky",
the
Ukrainian Christmas carols.
Read
about the monuments located next to the Cathedral
in our Monuments
section.
St.
Volodymyr Cathedral
Tarasa
Shevchenka Boulvard, 20
St. Volodymyr's Cathedral is another
one of Kiev's major landmarks and the "Mother Cathedral"
of the Ukrainian Orthodox
Church Kiev Patriarchy. One of two major Orthodox Churches
in Ukraine, it is, however, viewed, uncanocical by the Eastern Orthodox Communion. It is one of the
three greatest Orthodox churches
built in the 19th century,
on par with St Isaac's in St Petersburg and Christ the Saviour in Moscow.
In 1852, metropolitan Philaret of
Moscow suggested a large cathedral should be built in Kiev to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the baptism of
Kievan Rus. People from all over the Russian Empire started donating to this cause,
so that by 1859 the cathedral fund had amassed a huge sum of 100,000 rubles. The Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the
Caves) produced 1 million bricks and donated them to the cathedral as well.
The design was executed in a delightful Byzantine style by architects Ivan
Schtrom and Alexander Beretti. Being stymied by numerous technical problems, the
construction work lagged on for three decades. On August 20, 1896,
the cathedral was finally consecrated to St Volodymyr in the presence of Nicholas II
and Alexandra Feodorovna.
It is the cathedral's colourful interior that particularly strikes the eye.
Mosaics were created by masters from Venice. Frescoes were the work of three outstanding Russian
painters of the day: Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Vrubel, and Mikhail Nesterov. Iconostasis is carved from the white marble brought from Carrara.
The construction and interior deco took more than 30 years (1862-96)
to complete.
This seven dome three-aisled church resembles the buildings of old Ukraine only
slightly. Its walls are drenched with ornamental detail. The interior is
a reflectiion of the Prince Vladimir period. The main facade is decorated with a double door made of oxidized bronze with
enamel, carving and openwork tracery. On the sides of the door are figures of
Princess Olga and Prince Vladimir made of embossed bronze and portrayed against
a blue enamel background.
St.
Andrew's Church
Andriyivs'ky
Uzviz, 23
The baroque St. Andrew's Church or the Cathedral of
St. Andrew was built in Kiev between 1747 and 1754,
and designed by the imperial architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Overlooking the
ancient Podil district from a steep
hill, this exuberant and colourful structure with one large dome and five lesser
cupolas is one of the city's best known
landmarks.
The church was built by a team of Ukrainian masters under Ivan Michurin, the principal architect of Moscow, and
was to replace the older "Church of the
Resurrection", on the Women's
Market Square (Babiy Torzhok). Legend has it that it was the spot
where St. Andrew erected a
cross and prophesied the foundation of a
great Christian city in what was then a sparsely inhabited area.
Since 1968, the church has been open to
visitors as a museum. Occasionally the
edifice is used for services of the Ukrainian Autocephalous
Orthodox Church, one of several national churches unrecognized by major Orthodox patriarchates.
Church of the Theotokos of
Pyrogoshcha
Kontraktova
Ploscha 1, Podil District
Theotokos Θεοτοκος is Greek for "parent of God" (literally, "whose offspring is god", a bahuvrihi compound of θεος "god" and
τοκος "parturition, gestation, offspring", used synonymously is Μητηρ Θεου
"Mother of God", often abbreviated to ΜΡ ΘΥ). It is a title assigned by the
early Christian Church to Mary,
the mother of Jesus, at the Third Ecumenical Council held at Ephesus in 431.
One
of the oldest stone buildings in Kiev, Church of
the Theotokos of Pyrogoshcha was destroyed by the
Soviets in the 20th century. It was originaly founded
in the period 1132 to 1136 during the riegn of Volodymyr
Monomach's son Mstyslav at the foot of the Zamkiv
mountain in today's Kontraktova district.
Legend
has it that the sacred symbol of the Church, being
the Icon of the Mother of God/Christ, was saved
in the Constantinople tower "Pirgos",
and thus the name taken "Church of the Theotkos
of Pyrogoshcha". There are several other theories
as well.
Walls
of the Church were decorated by Fresco's. Floors
were done with a mosaic flagstone style. In the
written sourses of the 16th century the Church is
known under the name "Uspens'ka". The
Church was destroyed and re-built numerous times,
namely in 1613 - 1614 it was re-built by the Italian
architect Brachi, then later in the 1870's by the
architect Gryhorovych-Bars'kyi, (of who possibly
may be buried in the church) in the Barocco style.
In the 19th Century it was reconstructed with the
elements of classicism.
At
the Church's frontal facade, a bell tower was constructed
in the 19th Century.
During
the middle ages the Church served as a public venue
for Kievians. It hosted a school, an orphanage,
a hospital for the poor, and a site of the
city archives. This Church was a popular place for
burial of Kiev-Podil aristocrats. Nearly all of
its area occupied with the crypts of 18th -
19th century, which were placed one above the other
in 2 and 3 layers.
In
the latter 20th Century, excavation revealed the
Churches foundation to be 4 meters deep. The most
recent rennovation was in 1998.
St. Nicolas Roman Catholic Church
77 Velyka Vasylkivska St.
(old name Chervonoarmyis'ka Str.)
Built
by the prominent Kyiv architect Vladyslav Horodetskyi,
the Church is immediately
recognizable by its two needle like towers stretching up into the sky. It's
traditional Gothic style comes from the 1899 through 1909 era. Sculpturing
was done in a studio of the sculptor Elio Saal.
The Church was re-constructed in 1979-1980. Today it serves as a functioning
Catholic Church as well as a concert hall, welcoming anyone who admires organ
chamber
music, and is considered a "must see".
The Church of the Nativity of Christ
Poshtova Square,
Podil District
Designed by the famous Ukrainian architect A. Melenskiy. The construction of
this Church was undertaken from 1809 until 1814.
It
was in this church on the 6th and -7-th of May,
1861 that the coffin with the body of the
deceased T.G. Shevchenko was layed, while being transported from St.
Petersburg to Kaniv. In the face of a tremendous crowd, the archbishop P.
Lebedynziv, together with the temple prior J.Geltonigsky met the coffin and held
service for the great poet of Ukraine. After that, among Kyiv's citizens the
Church was known as the "Church of Shevchenko". In 1930 the Church was destroyed by
an order of the Communist government, sharing the same and sorrowful lot with many other
unique monuments of Ukrainian architecture.
The Church of the Nativity of Christ reconstruction project was initiated by the
order of the Department of Historic, Cultural Monuments and Historic Environment
Protection Organization of Kyiv.
19th-century Lutheran Church
Originally built in 1857, the church was closed down by the authorities in
1938 and afterwards used as a goods depot. From 1969 to 1996 it housed the
"
Museum for the Architecture and Customs of the People of Ukraine". During the
renovation, the nave of the church was divided and the front half turned
into a community center with facilities for food distribution. Presently the
sanctuary, with its nave and galleries, has a sitting capacity of about 600
persons.
A worship celebration on the
29th of
October, 2000 marked the re-consecration of the "Evangelical Lutheran Church
of St. Catherine in Kiev", which for six decades had been used for secular
purposes.
On Advent Sunday 1998, the church had been returned to the German Lutheran congregation for use "free of
charge", thereby ending a period of 60 years during which the place of
worship had been turned into a warehouse and museum.
The re-consecration of the church by Bishop Edmund Ratz of Odessa followed
the conclusion of two years of renovation work. Archbishop Georg Kretschmar
of the "Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States" (ELCROS)
delivered the sermon.
Also dedicated during the October 29 ceremony was the church organ, a gift
from a congregation in the Rheine, in Westphalia, Germany.
St. Catherine's congregation in Kiev is the largest of the German
Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine, and is an independent regional church and
member of the "ELCROS" fellowship. The origins of the congregation date back
to the 18th century, when a German pastor held the first Lutheran worship
service in Kiev in 1767. The congregation was reconstituted in 1989-1990 and
presently has about 350 members. The majority are descendants of German
emigrants to Russia and Ukraine.
(based on the article taken from http://www.wfn.org/2000/12/msg00205.html).
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