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Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

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Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra[1][2] or Kyievo-Pecherska Lavra (Ukrainian: Києво-Печерська лавра), also known as the Kyiv Monastery of the Caves, is a historic Eastern Orthodox Christian monastery which gave its name to one of the city districts where it is located in Kyiv.

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
Києво-Печерська лавра
View of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is located in Ukraine
Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
50°26′3″N 30°33′33″E / 50.43417°N 30.55917°E / 50.43417; 30.55917
LocationPechersk Raion, Kyiv
CountryUkraine
DenominationEastern Orthodox
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata
History
DedicationMonastery of the Caves
Architecture
Architect(s)Theodosius of Kiev, Anthony of Kiev
StyleUkrainian Baroque
Years built1051
Administration
DioceseDisputed
Map
Official nameKyiv-Pechersk Lavra
LocationEurope
Part ofKyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
Criteriai, ii, iii, iv
Reference527
Inscription1990 (14th Session)
Endangered2023

Since its foundation as the cave monastery in 1051, the Lavra has been a preeminent center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity in Eastern Europe.[3]

Etymology and other names

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A lithograph of Pechersk Lavra, Kyiv,[4] National Gallery of Art Library, Washington, D.C.

In Ukrainian, the word pechera (in Ukrainian Cyrillic печера) means cave which itself came from Proto-Slavic *реktera that means cave as well. The word lavra is used to describe high-ranking male monasteries for monks of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Therefore, the name of the monastery is also translated as Kyiv Cave Monastery, Kyiv Caves Monastery or the Kyiv Monastery of the Caves (на печерах).[citation needed]

History

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Foundation and early history

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The Primary Chronicle contains contradictory information as to when the monastery was founded: in 1051, or in 1074.[5] Anthony, a Christian monk from Esphigmenon monastery on Mount Athos, originally from Liubech of the Principality of Chernigov, returned to Rus' and settled in Kyiv as a missionary of monastic tradition to Kyivan Rus'. He chose a cave at the Berestov Mount that overlooked the Dnieper River and a community of disciples soon grew. Prince Iziaslav I of Kyiv ceded the whole mount to the Anthonite monks who founded a monastery built by architects from Constantinople.[citation needed]

Modern history

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Together with the Saint Sophia Cathedral, the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.[6][nb 1] The monastery complex is considered a separate national historic-cultural preserve (sanctuary), the national status to which was granted on 13 March 1996.[8] The Lavra is not only located in another part of the city, but is part of a different national sanctuary than Saint Sophia Cathedral. While being a cultural attraction, the monastery is once again active, with over 100 monks in residence.[citation needed] It was named one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine on 21 August 2007.[citation needed]

Until the end of 2022, jurisdiction over the site had been divided between the state museum, National Kyiv-Pechersk Historic-Cultural Preserve,[9] and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) (UOC-MP) as the site of the chief monastery of that Church and the residence of its leader, Onufrius, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine.[10][11] In January 2023, the Ukrainian government terminated the UOC-MP's lease of the Dormition Cathedral and the Refectory Church (also known as the Trapezna Church), returning those properties to direct state control.[12][13] It also announced that the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) had been granted permission to celebrate a Christmas service in the Dormition Cathedral, on 7 January 2023, Orthodox Christmas by the Old Calendar,[13] a service which was celebrated by Metropolitan Epiphanius at 9am that day.[14]

On 10 March 2023, the National Kyiv-Pechersk Historic-Cultural Preserve announced that the 2013 agreement on the free use of churches by the UOC-MP would be terminated on the grounds that the church had violated their lease by making alterations to the historic site, and other technical infractions.[15][16] The UOC-MP was ordered to leave the territory by 29 March.[16] The UOC-MP answered back that there were no legal grounds for the eviction and called it "a whim of officials from the Ministry of Culture."[16] On 17 March 2023 Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for Russian President Vladimir Putin, stated that the decision of the Ukrainian authorities not to extend this lease to representatives of the UOC-MP "confirms the correctness" of the (24 February 2022) Russian invasion of Ukraine.[16] The UOC-MP did not fully leave Kyiv Pechersk Lavra following 29 March 2023.[17][18]

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    The Near Caves of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. Sketch by the Dutch artist Abraham van Westerveld made in 1651
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    A panorama of the monastery, southward view
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    The restored Cathedral of the Dormition, in 2005
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    Up-close view of the Great Lavra Belltower with its four tiers in 2005

Hegumens

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The hegumens of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra are listed below.

Years Names Notes
1051–1062 Antoniy
1062–1063 Varlaam
1063–1074 Theodosius (joined the Studite Brethren)
1074–1077 Stefan I Bolharyn
1077–1088 Nikon the Great (before schima Hilarion)
1088–1103 Ioann In 1096 Cumans led by khan Boniak attacked Kyiv and the Cave Monastery.
1108–1112 Theoktistos, became a bishop of Chernihiv
1112–1125 Prokhor
1125–1131 Timothy / Akindin
1132–1141 Pimen the Singer
1142–1156 Theodosiy
1156–1164 Akindin In 1159 the monastery received stauropegic status and since then was known as lavra.
Archimandrites:
1165–1182 Polikarp Pechersky the first archimandrite
1182–1197 Vasiliy
~ 1274 Serapion
~ 1289 Agapit
~ 1377 David
~ 1434 Nikifor
~ 1446 Nicholas
~ 1470 Ioann
~ 1486 Theodosiy
~ 1500 Philaret
1506–1508 Vassian
~ 1509 Jonas
~ 1514 Protasiy
1522–1525 Ignatius
1524–1528 Antoniy
~ 1538 Joachim
1540–1541 Sofroniy
~ 1540s Vassian
~ 1551 Hilarion Pesoczynski
~ 1555 Joseph
1556–1572 Hilarion Pesoczynski
~ 1573 Jonas Despotowicz
1574–1590 Miletieus Chrebtowicz-Bohurnski
1593–1599 Nykifor Tur
1599–1605 Hipatius Pociej
1605–1624 Yelisei Pletenecki
1624–1627 Zakhariy Kopystenski
1627–1646 Peter Mogila
1656–1684 Innocent (Giesel)
1684–1690 Varlaam Yasinski
1691–1697 Miletieus Vujachewicz-Vysoczinski
1697–1708 Joasaph Krokowski
1709 Hilarion
1710–1714 Afanasiy Myslawski
1715–1729 Ioanikiy Seniutovich
1730–1736 Roman Kopa
1737–1740 Hilarion Negrebecki
1740–1748 Timothy Szczerbacki
1748–1751 Joseph Oranski
1752–1761 Luka Belousowicz
1762–1786 Zosima Walkewicz
1786–1792 Metropolitan bishops of Kyiv
1792–1795 Theofilakt Slonecki
1815–1826 Antoniy Smyrnicki
1826–1834 Avksentiy Halicki
1844–1852 Lavrentius Makarov
1852–1862 Ioann Petin
1878–1884 Hilarion Yushenov
1884–1892 Yuvenaliy Polovtsev
1893–1896 Sergiy Lanin
1909–1918 Amvrosiy Bulhakov
1926–1931 Hermohen Golubev

Buildings and structures

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Pechersk Lavra, Kyiv, in 1889, Department of Image Collections, National Gallery of Art Library, Washington, D.C.

The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra contains numerous architectural monuments, ranging from bell towers to cathedrals to cave systems and to strong stone fortification walls. The main attractions of the Lavra include the Great Lavra Belltower, and the Dormition Cathedral, destroyed in fighting the Germans World War II, and fully reconstructed in the 1990s after the fall of Soviet Union by Ukraine.

Other churches and cathedrals of the Lavra include: the Refectory Church, the Church of All Saints, the Church of the Saviour at Berestove, the Church of the Exaltation of Cross, the Church of the Trinity, the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, the Church of the Conception of St. Anne, and the Church of the Life-Giving Spring. The Lavra also contains many other constructions, including: the St. Nicholas Monastery, the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary, and the Debosquette Wall.[citation needed]

Great Lavra Belltower

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Main article: Great Lavra Belltower

The Great Lavra Belltower is one of the most notable features of the Kyiv skyline and among the main attractions of the Lavra. 96.5 meters in height, it was the tallest free-standing belltower at the time of its construction in 1731–1745, and was designed by the architect Johann Gottfried Schädel. It is a Classical style construction and consists of tiers, surmounted by a gilded dome.[citation needed]

Dormition Cathedral

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The restored Dormition Church

Built in the 11th century, the main church of the monastery was destroyed during the World War II, a couple of months after the Nazi Germany troops occupied the city of Kyiv, during which the Soviet Union conducted the controversial 1941 Khreshchatyk explosions. Withdrawing Soviet troops practiced the tactics of scorched earth and blew up all the Kyiv bridges over Dnieper as well as the main Khreshchatyk street and Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.[19] The destruction of the cathedral followed a pattern of Soviet disregard for cultural heritage, as they previously blew up the ancient St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery nearby in the 1930s.[20]

In 1928, the monastery was converted into an anti-religious museum park by the Soviet authorities and after their return no efforts were provided to restore the church. The temple was finally restored in 1995 after Ukraine obtained its independence and the construction was accomplished in two years. The new Dormition Church was consecrated in 2000.[19]

Gate Church of the Trinity

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Main article: Gate Church of the Trinity (Pechersk Lavra)

The Gate Church of the Trinity is located atop the Holy Gates, which houses the entrance to the monastery. According to a legend, this church was founded by the Chernihiv Prince Sviatoslav II. It was built atop an ancient stone church which used to stand in its place. After the fire of 1718, the church was rebuilt, its revered facades and interior walls enriched with ornate stucco work made by craftsman V. Stefaovych. In the 18th century, a new gilded pear-shaped dome was built, the facade and exterior walls were decorated with stucco-moulded plant ornaments and a vestibule built of stone attached to the north end. In the early 20th century, the fronts and the walls flanking the entrance were painted by icon painters under the guidance of V. Sonin. The interior of the Gate Trinity Church contains murals by the early 18th century painter Alimpy Galik.[citation needed]

Refectory chambers with Church of the Saints Anthony and Theodosius

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Main article: Refectory Church (Pechersk Lavra)
 
Refectory Church

The refectory chambers with the Church of the Saints Anthony and Theodosius is the third in a series of temples. The original temple was built in the 12th century and no drawings or visual depictions of it remain. The second temple was built at the time of the Cossack Hetmanate and was disassembled by the Russian authorities in the 19th century. It was replaced with the current temple, often referred to as the Refectory Church of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.[citation needed]

The All Saints Church

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The All Saints Church, erected in 1696–1698, is a fine specimen of Ukrainian baroque architecture. Characteristic of the church facades are rich architectural embellishments. In 1905, students of the Lavra art school painted the interior walls of the church. The carved wooden iconostasis is multi-tiered and was made for the All Saints church in the early 18th century.[citation needed]

Church of the Saviour at Berestove

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Main article: Church of the Saviour at Berestove
 
Side view of the Church of the Saviour at Berestove seen with its campanile, designed by architect Andrei Melenskyi in the Classical style.

The Church of the Saviour at Berestove is located to the North of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. It was constructed in the village of Berestove around the start of the 11th century during the reign of Prince Vladimir Monomakh. It later served as the mausoleum of the Monomakh dynasty, also including Yuri Dolgoruki, the founder of Moscow. Despite being outside the Lavra fortifications, the Church of the Saviour at Berestove is part of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra complex.[citation needed]

Caves

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Main article: Near Caves

The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra caverns are a system of narrow underground corridors (about 1-1½ metres wide and 2-2½ metres high), along with numerous living quarters and underground chapels. In 1051, the monk Anthony settled in an old cave in a hill near the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. This cave received additions including corridors and a church, and is now the Far Caves. In 1057, Anthony moved to a cave near the Upper Lavra, now called the Near Caves.[citation needed]

Foreign travellers in the 16th–17th centuries wrote that the catacombs of the Lavra stretched for hundreds of kilometres, reaching as far as Moscow and Novgorod,[21] spreading awareness of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.[citation needed]

Burials

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There are over a hundred burials in the Lavra. Below are the most notable ones

During the Soviet era, the bodies of the saints that lay in the caves were left uncovered due to the regime's disregard for religion. However, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the bodies were covered with a cloth and to this day remain in the same state.[citation needed]

Museum

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Eastern Orthodox pilgrim in Kyiv Pechersk Lavra – women must cover their head when entering the lavra.

The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is one of the largest museums in Kyiv. The exposition is the actual ensemble of the Upper (Near Caves) and Lower (Far Caves) Lavra territories, which house many architectural relics of the past. The collection within the churches and caves includes articles of precious metal, prints, higher clergy portraits and rare church hierarchy photographs.[22] The main exposition contains articles from 16th to early 20th centuries, which include chalices, crucifixes, and textiles from 16th–19th centuries, with needlework and embroidery of Ukrainian masters. The remainder of the collection consists of pieces from the Lavra's Printing House and the Lavra's Icon Painting Workshop.[22]

The museum provides tours of the catacombs, which contain remains of Eastern Orthodox saints or their relics. The Caves are of geological interest because they are excavated into loess ground. They form one of the most extensive occurrences of loess caves in the world.[citation needed]

The Lavra museums include:

Images

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Late 2010 a monitoring mission of UNESCO was visiting the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra to check on situation of the site. At the time the Minister of Culture Mykhailo Kulynyak stated the historic site along with the Saint Sophia Cathedral was not threatened by the "black list" of the organisation.[7] The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO decided in June 2013 that Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, and St. Sofia Cathedral and related monastery buildings would remain on the World Heritage List.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  2. ^ "Правильное написание столицы Украины на английском языке закреплено в документе ЮНЕСКО - МИД Украины" [The correct spelling of the capital of Ukraine in English is enshrined in a UNESCO document - MFA of Ukraine]. gordonua.com (in Russian). 9 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  3. ^ Magocsi P.R. A History of Ukraine. University of Toronto Press: Toronto, 1996. p 98.
  4. ^ Department of Image Collections
  5. ^ Cross & Sherbowitz-Wetzor 1953, p. 7.
  6. ^ a b Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, St. Sophia Cathedral remain on UNESCO's World Heritage List Archived 24 June 2013 at archive.today, Interfax-Ukraine (20 June 2013)
  7. ^ ""Софії Київській та Києво-Печерській лаврі "чорний список" ЮНЕСКО не загрожує" – Міністр культури Михайло Кулиняк" ["Sophia of Kyiv and Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra are not threatened by the UNESCO "black list" - Minister of Culture Mykhailo Kulinyak]. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  8. ^ "Про надання статусу національного Києво-Печерському держав... - від 13.03.1996 № 181/96" [On granting the status of national Kyiv-Pechersk State... - dated 03.13.1996 No. 181/96]. zakon1.rada.gov.ua. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Сайт Національного Києво-Печерського історико-культурного заповідника" [Site of the National Kyiv-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Reserve]. www.kplavra.kyiv.ua. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  10. ^ "General information — Kyiv Holy Dormition Caves Lavra". 14 November 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  11. ^ "Head of UOC led solemnities on Synaxis of Near Caves' Venerable Fathers". Kyiv Holy Dormition Caves Lavra. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  12. ^ "Historical churches of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra returned to Ukrainian state from Russia-affiliated church". Euromaidan Press. 5 January 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Ukraine reclaims Kyiv cathedral amid church dispute". ABC News. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  14. ^ "Epiphanius for the first time conducts Christmas service in Holy Dormition Cathedral". www.ukrinform.net. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  15. ^ "Orthodox leader in Kyiv ordered under house arrest by Ukrainian court". PBS NewsHour. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d "Kremlin says Ukrainian authorities' decision on Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate justifies "special operation"". Ukrainska Pravda. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Metropolitan Epiphany urges calm after arrest of abbot". Church Times. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  18. ^ "Lavra. What's next?". Lb.ua [uk] (in Ukrainian). 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023. [uk]&rft.atitle=Lavra. What's next?&rft.date=2023-03-31&rft_id=https://lb.ua/blog/sonya_koshkina/550462_lavra_shcho_dali_.html&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Kyiv Pechersk Lavra" class="Z3988">
  19. ^ a b "1941: уничтожение Успенского собора в Лавре". BBC News Україна (in Russian). 3 November 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  20. ^ Гогун, Александр (20 September 2021). "Вандалы-орденоносцы. Как Красная армия взрывала Киев". Радио Свобода (in Russian). Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  21. ^ Malikenaite, Ruta (2003). Guidebook: Touring Kyiv. Kyiv: Baltia Druk. ISBN 966-96041-3-3.
  22. ^ a b Kyiv Sightseeing Guide. Kyiv/Lviv: Centre d'Europe. 2001. ISBN 966-7022-29-3.

Sources

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Primary sources

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Secondary sources

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