Where did the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra get its name from? Kiev Pechersk Lavra - the center of Christianity in Ukraine

The church, which for a long time did not have the support of the state, in last years began to receive it. And receive in abundance. This situation has hurt state museums, which are almost forcibly evicted from former places of worship and monastic buildings in many cities. It is easy to be convinced of this by following the development of the conflict between the National Kiev-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Reserve and the church community "Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra".

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) wants to get the entire Lavra at its disposal as soon as possible. But many questions arise. And the main ones - is there an urgent need to transfer the entire Kiev-Pechersk Lavra to the church community? Will it benefit society? Will this harm the museum business? Why should there be a theological academy and a seminary on the territory of the Lavra, which have never been here before?

In the Slavic world, the Lavra is widely known as one of the most ancient Orthodox monasteries. It is spread over an area of ​​23 hectares and has 144 objects, of which 120 are monuments of architecture and history. Only 17% of all premises are in use by the Reserve, 41% belong to church organizations and 42% are occupied by other tenants. The latter in their majority belong to the departments of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Ukraine.

ROOTS OF THE CONFLICT

In connection with the 1000th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity in Russia, by the decisions of the Council of Ministers of Ukraine in 1988-1990, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church) was transferred for free use (and only for use. - Aut.) land, with buildings on the Far and Near caves. At the same time, the church agreed to complete, at its own expense, the restoration and restoration work carried out by state organizations, and continue to maintain the architectural monuments and ancient caves in a normal state. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has organized a new church community, the Kiev Caves Holy Dormition Lavra, on the territory received, which currently considers itself the legal successor of the old Lavra community, although it has no grounds for this. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate also claimed the right to the Lavra. There is a conflict between different confessions over the possession of an ancient shrine, in which the National Historical and Cultural Reserve has also become involved.

Enlisting the support of individual government officials, the Lavra monks in recent years have made a number of illegal seizures of museum buildings. All this happened at night, according to a well-planned scenario and with the blessing of the abbot of the monastery. Having barricaded themselves from the inside, the church "raiders" did not let anyone into these buildings. The militia, called by museum workers, did not even try to restore the rule of law.

On the eve of the 2004 presidential elections in Ukraine, the struggle between candidates for votes intensified significantly. Here again they remembered the church, its influence on the electorate. Promises were not stingy. One "Orthodox candidate" promised to transfer the entire territory of the Lavra to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP), and the second - probably the religious buildings of the National Reserve "Sofia Kyiv" to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (KP). Museum complexes, in fact, have become hostages of the political struggle between contenders for the post of President of Ukraine. All this contributed to the division of the Ukrainian people not only along regional and linguistic lines, but also along religious lines. An expensive gift was also prepared for the Lavra - a huge bell, which was brought and thrown into the museum territory near the Great Lavra Bell Tower. For the museum staff, this came as a surprise. Probably, he should have given his vote on the day of the inauguration of the new President. Who gave permission for its import, and even more so who will give the go-ahead for its installation, is still a mystery. So he stands alone on the ground for two years. Probably waiting for the Tsar Cannon. Let's hope that there will be no problems with it, because the cap has already been presented.

TO BE OR NOT TO BE A MUSEUM?

With the loss of one "Orthodox candidate" in presidential elections the tactics of the Lavra monks changed. She became expectant. With the election of Viktor Yanukovych to the post of Prime Minister of Ukraine, the situation between the National Reserve and the church community began to change dramatically in the worst side. On August 9, 2006, Metropolitan Vladimir of Kyiv signed and sent to prime minister proposals of the abbot of the Lavra, Archbishop Pavel, on solving the problems of the functioning of the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra". All these proposals boiled down to one thing - the liquidation of state museums and the transfer of almost the entire territory of the Upper Lavra, together with the museum collections of the reserve, to the monastery. In response, a number of timid protests followed. public organizations, individual people's deputies and museum workers. However, it was only a voice crying in the wilderness. The state apparatus, having received the necessary instructions from above, will work, sadly, in the interests of the church, and not museum organizations.

Subsequent events only confirmed the assumptions. On September 28, a meeting of the Kyiv City Council was held, at which it was considered and adopted unexpected decision on the transfer of three buildings that are under the operational management of the National Reserve to the management of the current church community. Until 1917, they housed hotels for pilgrims, not cells, as was announced at the meeting. It happened on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Reserve (September 29) and allegedly at his request. Such a gift from the Kyiv authorities to the state museum. There was no consent of the latter on the issue of the transfer, just as there were no representatives of it at the meeting. But the issue was still voted, although legally the city council had no right to do so. 154 employees and the scientific library of the Reserve may be on the street. This meeting was preceded by attacks in the press on the museum, whose activities were presented in a negative way.

The monastery's massive attack on museums did not end there. This was followed by speeches on radio and television, appeals to the President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko and Moscow Patriarch Alexy. The so-called "Days of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra in Paris" and Metropolitan Volodymyr's visit to the UNESCO office were indicative. It is clear that these events could not have been done without the help of state bodies. Such support to museums! That would be great! And on the other hand, one can only welcome the holding of such days by the Orthodox Church in a Catholic country, which met the delegation very kindly, completely different from the way the "Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra" met the Pope in Kyiv. There is hope that the time will come when Christianity will become united again. And in this matter, you need to start with yourself, with the unification of Ukrainian churches into a single one, otherwise we will soon have several religious buildings of the same name on the same street, the priests and parishioners of which will be at enmity with each other. Church leaders must, in the end, realize that it was the church that tore Ukraine apart in 1596 and continues to tear it apart today, to the delight of ill-wishers.

Alas, the same processes take place in the church as in society. You can continue to ignore church business, but it really exists and is developing intensively. Separate from the state. This is probably the main problem of the acute struggle for premises in the Lavra. You can be convinced of this by carefully reading the proposals of the governor of the Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. They well calculated how many dollars you can get for renting the Lavra buildings in the upper territory. And this is reproached to the National Reserve. But state organizations that rent premises in the Lavra can pay exactly as much as they are allocated money for this from the country's state budget. Offering to evict museums from the Lavra, which is almost tantamount to the destruction of museums, Archbishop Pavel is not opposed to leaving the technical staff of the National Reserve and the State Service for the Protection of National Cultural Heritage in it. As they say, one shot kill all birds with one stone. That is, by placing the entire burden of preserving architectural monuments and communications on the state, to receive maximum income from the operation of the entire Lavra.

Constant claims by the representatives of the monastery that they can better preserve architectural monuments than the Reserve are groundless. Economic activity monks in the lower territory confirms this. Bringing ancient caves to failures, illegal construction in the protected area, destruction of paintings in the Annozachatievsky church and many other negative phenomena should have been the subject of serious discussion by the monument protection authorities. However… everything happens in reverse. The state began to directly finance repair work in a monastery, although this is prohibited by law. A religious organization, according to a model agreement approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated October 29, 2003 No. 1699, is obliged to ensure the safety of religious buildings and their current repairs. If the monuments are kept in improper condition, the contract may be terminated. state organization unilaterally. However, it is very difficult to apply such measures in practice, although, in some cases, it is necessary.

The actions of the authorities, which do not protect the interests of museums, demoralize their employees. They lose confidence in their need and tomorrow. Yes, perhaps not all of them have done to preserve the cultural heritage as we would like, but there are objective reasons for this. To say that there are no problems in the reserve would be a lie. They have practically lost the function of protecting monuments and protected areas transferred to the church community, because many issues of joint coexistence on a single territory of the museum and the church have not been fully resolved by law. It so happened that the leadership of the National Reserve is not able to fully fulfill its statutory provisions. This is the fault not only of the Directorate of the Reserve, but also of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which pays little attention to the activities of this museum institution. The Decree of the President of Ukraine dated March 13, 1996 on granting the Kiev-Pechersk Reserve the status of National (item 2) provided for the approval by the Cabinet of Ministers of the personal composition of the Supervisory Board. However, such a council, which would be obliged to control the actions CEO and help him in the preservation of the unique architectural ensemble and its correct use, does not work even now.

In recent days, someone has been persistently spreading rumors about the preparation of a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers to close the National Reserve and all museums on the territory of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra and transfer it to the entire church community.

I would like to hope that common sense will still win, because we all should have the same goal - to preserve the unique ensemble of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra for future generations. And it's possible. And this requires the reorganization of the Reserve, the resettlement of most of the tenants, the restoration of monuments and underground communications, the approval of the concept of further development of the museum complex on a single territory with the current church community, the deployment of a new network of own exhibitions and museums.

The national reserve must be preserved! This is in the interests of the entire Ukrainian society. It is it that can, and is obliged, to ensure the safety of the entire architectural complex of the ancient Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, with the full support of the state and the church.

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra- this is one of the first monasteries in time Kievan Rus. One of the most important Orthodox shrines, the Third Lot Mother of God. Founded in 1051 under the monk Anthony, originally from Lubech, and his disciple Theodosius.
There is a deep spiritual connection between the Holy Mount Athos and the Kiev-Pechersk monastery. Thanks to St. Anthony, the tradition of monastic work was brought to Russia from Athos. According to legend, the abbot of the Athos monastery admonished St. Anthony with the following words: May the blessing of Mount Athos be upon you, many monks will come from you “. Therefore, it is no coincidence that it was the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery that at the dawn of its formation began to be called Third Destiny of the Mother of God and Russian Athos.
The prince gave the monastery a plateau above the caves, where beautiful stone temples, decorated with paintings, cells, fortress towers and other buildings later grew. Names associated with the monastery chronicler Nestor(author), artist Alipiy.
With 1592 on 1688 Kiev Caves Monastery was a stavropegic Patriarch of Constantinople.
With 1688 Kiev Caves Monastery received the status laurel and became stavropegion royal and patriarchal of Moscow.
AT 1786 Kiev-Pechersk Lavra was subordinated to the Kyiv Metropolitan, who became her sacred archimandrite.
In the Near and Far Caves of the Lavra, the incorruptible relics of the saints of God rest, also in Kiev Pechersk Lavra there are also lay burials (for example, the grave of Pyotr Arkadyevich Stolypin).
Currently, the lower Lavra is under the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), and the upper Lavra is under the jurisdiction of the National Kiev-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Reserve. Currently Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is located in the center of Kyiv, on the right, high bank of the Dnieper and occupies two hills, separated by a deep hollow, descending to the Dnieper.

Foundation of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

AT XI century location Kiev Pechersk Lavra was covered with forest. The priest of the nearby village of Berestov, Hilarion, who dug a cave for himself, retired to this area for prayer. AT 1051 Hilarion was appointed Metropolitan of Kyiv and his cave was empty. At about the same time, the monk Anthony, a native of Lyubech, came to Kyiv from Athos. Monk Anthony did not like life in the Kyiv monasteries, and he settled in Hilarion's cave.
The piety of Anthony attracted followers to his cave, among whom was Theodosius from Kursk. When their number increased to 12, they built a church and cells for themselves. Anthony appointed Varlaam as abbot, and he retired to a neighboring mountain, where he dug out a new cave for himself. This cave was the beginning nearby caves, named so in contrast to the former, distant caves. With the increase in the number of monks, when it became crowded in the caves, they built the Church of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos and cells over the cave. The number of people coming to the monastery increased, and Anthony obtained permission to use the entire mountain above the cave from the Grand Duke.
AT 1062 A church was built on the site of the current main cathedral. The resulting monastery was named Pechersky (cave- in Old Slavonic cave, underground dwelling). At the same time, Theodosius was appointed abbot. He introduced a cenobitic studio charter into the cloister, which was borrowed from here and by other Russian monasteries. The harsh ascetic life of the monks and their piety attracted significant donations to the monastery.
AT 1073 a stone church was laid, completed and consecrated in 1089. Fresco painting and mosaics were made by Tsaregrad artists.

Raids and restoration of the monastery.

AT 1096 not yet strengthened, the monastery moved terrible attack. Orthodox shrines were looted and desecrated. almost entered Kyiv itself.
AT 1108 under Abbot Feoktist, the monastery was restored and expanded, new buildings appeared in it: a stone refectory along with the church at the behest and at the expense of Prince Gleb Vseslavich.
The whole monastery was fenced with a palisade. At the monastery there was a hospitable house, arranged by Theodosius for the shelter of the poor, the blind, the lame. 1/10 of the monastic income was allocated for the maintenance of the hospice. Every Saturday the monastery sent a cartload of bread for the prisoners. With the relocation of the brethren to a large monastery, the caves were turned into a tomb for the monks, whose bodies were laid on both sides of the cave corridor, in the recesses of the walls. The monastery also owned the village of Lesniki. Theodosius dug out a cave for himself there, in which he lived during Lent.
AT XI and XII centuries up to 20 bishops left the monastery, all of them retained great respect for their native monastery.
AT 1151 the monastery was plundered by the Torks, a Turkic tribe that roamed the Black Sea steppes in the 10th-13th centuries.
AT 1169 the monastery was plundered during the capture of Kyiv by the united troops of the Kyiv, Novgorod, Suzdal, Chernigov, Smolensk princes and the pagan steppe (Berendey) who joined the steppe.
AT 1203 The Kiev-Pechersk monastery was plundered during the new devastation of Kyiv Rurik Rostislavich and .
AT 1240 the most terrible ruin of the Lavra occurred when the hordes of Batu took Kyiv and took possession of all the southern Russian land. The monks of the Kiev Caves Monastery were partly killed, partly fled. Disasters from the invasion of the Mongol-Tatars were repeated in Kyiv in 1300, in 1399.
AT XIV century The Kiev Caves Monastery was already renewed, and the great church became the burial place of many princely and noble families.
AT middle of the 14th century Lithuanian expansion begins in most of the territory of modern Ukraine. However, despite the fact that the Lithuanian prince Olgerd, to whom the Kyiv lands were subordinate, initially professed the pagan faith, and then, after the adoption of the Kreva Union between Lithuania and Poland, an intensified planting of Catholicism began, the Pechersk monastery lived a full life during this period.
AT 1470 Kyiv prince Simeon Olelkovich renewed and decorated the great church.
AT 1482 Crimean army Mengli I Giray burned and plundered the monastery, but generous donations enabled him to recover soon.
AT 1593 The Kiev Caves Monastery owned two cities - Radomysl and Vasilkov, up to 50 villages and about 15 villages and villages in different parts of Western Russia, with fishing, transportation, mills, honey and penny tributes and beaver ruts.
With 15th century the monastery received the right to send to Moscow to collect donations.
AT 1555-1556 the great church was renovated and embellished.
At the end 16th century Kiev-Pechersky Monastery received the status stauropegia Patriarch of Constantinople.
After conclusion Pereyaslav Treaty of 1654 and the reunification of Ukraine with Russia, the tsarist government provided the largest Ukrainian monasteries, in particular the Lavra, with charters, funds, land and estates. Lavra has become stavropegion royal and patriarchal of Moscow. For almost 100 years ( 1688–1786) Archimandrite Lavra was given primacy over all Russian metropolitans.

Attempts to resubordinate

After the Union of Brest 1596 an attempt was made to subordinate the Kiev Caves Monastery, which is under the direct command of the Ecumenical Patriarch, to the Kyiv Uniate Metropolitan, but the monks, led by Archimandrite Nikifor Tours, put up armed resistance. The second attempt of the Uniates to take possession of the monastery, in 1598, was also unsuccessful. The monastery also managed to defend its vast estates by force from the Uniates.
In the context of the expansion of Uniatism, the Lavra became a stronghold of Orthodoxy in Southwestern Russia.

Kiev-Pechersky monastery in the XVII - XIX centuries.

AT 1616 p Archimandrites Elisha Pletenetsky and Zechariah Kopystensky founded a printing house in the Kiev-Pechersky Monastery. The printing of liturgical and polemical books began.
Pyotr Mohyla started a school in the Kiev-Pechersky Monastery, which was later connected with the fraternal school and served as the beginning of the Kiev-Mohyla Collegium.
Hetman Samoylovich surrounded the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra with an earthen rampart, and Hetman Mazepa with a stone wall.
Under Peter the Great, the fortifications of Hetman Samoylovich were expanded and formed the modern Pechersk fortress.
AT 1718 the fire destroyed the Great Church, archive, library and printing house.
AT 1729 The Great Church has been restored.
AT 1731-1745 to the southwest of the Great Church, the Great Lavra Bell Tower was built. The height of the Great Lavra Bell Tower, together with the cross, was 96.5 meters. The first work on the construction of the belfry was started in 1707 at the expense of Ivan Mazepa. The construction of the Great Lavra Bell Tower was completed by the German architect G. I. Shedel.
AT great church there was a miraculous icon of the Assumption of the Mother of God, according to legend, miraculously obtained by Greek artists in the Blachernae Church and brought by them to Kyiv. It also contained the relics of St. Theodosius and the 1st Metropolitan of Kyiv, St. Michael and kept the head of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir. In a niche in the northwestern corner of the church is the gravestone of Prince Konstantin Ivanovich Ostrozhsky. Under the altar of the Stefanovsky chapel is a tomb. In the Theological chapel there was an icon of the Mother of God, in front of which Igor Olegovich prayed during his murder in 1147. In the middle part of the temple there were several tombs, including those of Metropolitan Peter Mogila, Varlaam Yasinsky and Field Marshal P. A. Rumyantsev. The sacristy of the Lavra kept the Gospels, utensils and vestments of remarkable antiquity and value, as well as a collection of portraits. In the choirs were the library of the Lavra and its documents. The former book depository probably burned down in 1718.
AT 19th century in the composition of the Lavra in 6 monasteries:
1. The main monastery at the great church,
2. Hospital monastery,
3. Nearby caves,
4. Far caves,
5. Goloseevskaya desert,
6. Kitaevskaya desert.
Trinity Hospital Monastery founded in XII century Chernigov Prince Nicholas Svyatosha. The hospital monastery is located near the main Lavra gates.
Near and Far caves, on the banks of the Dnieper, are separated by a ravine and a mountain ridge. The relics of 80 saints rest in the Near ones, and the relics of 45 saints rest in the Far ones.
AT 1688 The Lavra was subordinate to the Moscow Patriarch, and its archimandrite was given primacy over all Russian metropolitans.
AT 1786 The Lavra was subordinate to the Metropolitan of Kyiv, who was given the title of her sacred archimandrite. Managed by the governor, coupled with the Spiritual Cathedral.

January 25, 1918 the rector of the Lavra, Metropolitan of Kyiv and Galicia Vladimir (Bogoyavlensky), was taken away and killed by the Bolsheviks.
After 1919 the monastic community continued to exist as an artel.
At first 1924 The Lavra was under the direct jurisdiction of Patriarch Tikhon.
At the All-Ukrainian Pre-Council Meeting ("Renovation"), held from 11 to 15 November 1924 in Kharkov, according to the report of the Renovationist Kyiv Metropolitan Innokenty (Pustynsky), a resolution was adopted on the need to transfer the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra to the jurisdiction of the All-Ukrainian Holy Synod (Renovationist), which happened December 15, 1924.
September 29, 1926 VUTsIK and the Council of People's Commissars of the Ukrainian SSR adopted a resolution on " Recognition of the former Kiev-Pechersk Lavra as a historical and cultural state reserve and its transformation into an All-Ukrainian museum town“. The gradual displacement of the monastic community by the newly created museum was completed by the beginning of 1930 complete liquidation monastery. Part of the brethren was taken out and shot, the rest were imprisoned or exiled. Lavra was destroyed.
One of the buildings housed the State Historical Library of Ukraine (it is located there to this day). A museum complex was formed on the territory of the Lavra, which included the Museum of the Book, the Museum of Historical Treasures, etc.

Kiev Pechersk Lavra during the German occupation.

During the German occupation of Kyiv, a police station was organized in the Lavra, where about 500 civilians were killed by the occupying authorities.
By permission of the German authorities, September 27, 1941 monastic life was resumed within the walls of the Lavra. At the head of the Lavra brethren was Schema-Archbishop (formerly of Kherson and Tauride) Anthony (Prince David Abashidze), a Lavra tonsured.
November 3, 1941 The Assumption Cathedral was blown up by the German invaders (restored in 2000), which is indicated in the materials of the Nuremberg Trials. Before the destruction of the temple, under the leadership of the Reichskommissar Erich Koch, a mass export of the valuables of the temple was carried out. The bombing of the Assumption Cathedral was carried out in order to hide the traces of its looting, and also in accordance with the Nazi policy of destroying national shrines in order to weaken the national identity of the conquered peoples.
The explosion of the cathedral was recorded by the Germans on film and was included in the official newsreel. In the mid-1990s, her footage was found in a private collection in Oberhausen and sent to Kyiv with the assistance of Dr. Wolfgang Eichwede ( Eichwede ), directors research center of Eastern Europe (Forschungsstelle Osteuropa ) Bremen University, dealing with the problems of restitution. Thus, the German authorities knew in advance about the time of the explosion and gave their cameraman the opportunity to choose a safe point for spectacular shooting. According to recently discovered archival documents and memoirs, the Germans themselves admitted their involvement in the destruction of the Assumption Cathedral. This is evidenced by the memoirs and confessions of a number of Nazi leaders and the military: Minister of Arms Albert Speer, Head of the Religious Policy Group of the Ministry of the Occupied Eastern Territories Karl Rosenfelder, Wehrmacht officer Friedrich Heyer, who had the rank of an evangelical priest, SS Obergruppenführer Friedrich Jeckeln, who directly led the bombing of the temple.

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra after the liberation of Kyiv from German occupation.

After the liberation of Kyiv in 1943, the Soviet authorities did not close the Lavra. in B 1961 the monastery was closed during the "Khrushchev" anti-religious campaign.
AT June 1988 In connection with the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the baptism of Russia, by a decree of the Council of Ministers of the Ukrainian SSR, the territory of the Far Caves was transferred to the newly created Pechersk monastic community.
The first rector of the recreated monastery was Metropolitan Filaret (Denisenko) of Kyiv and All Ukraine (in 1992, he was banned from service and defrocked), and the vicar was Archimandrite Jonathan (Yeletsky) (since November 22, 2006 - Archbishop (now Metropolitan) of Tulchinsky and Bratslav ).
With 1992 to 2014 The rector (priestly archimandrite) of the Lavra was Metropolitan Vladimir (Sabodan) of Kyiv and All Ukraine, whose residence is located on the territory of the monastery.
C 1994 the abbot of the Lavra is Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed) of Vyshgorod.
Initially cathedral there was a spacious refectory church of St. Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves.
The Lavra also housed the Kyiv Theological Seminary and Academy, the publishing department of the Church.
December 9, 1995 President of Ukraine L. Kuchma issued a Decree on the restoration of the Assumption Cathedral. By the 950th anniversary of the Lavra, the cathedral was restored and consecrated on August 24, 2000.
AT 1990 The Lavra has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
AT 2017 as a result of journalistic investigation, numerous changes in the original buildings with a change in architectural style were revealed, which is contrary to the rules of UNESCO.

Necropolis of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.

A unique necropolis has developed in the Lavra. The oldest parts of it began to form in the second half XI century. The first documented burial in the Great Church was the burial of the son of the Varangian prince Shimon (in baptism Simon). In the land of the holy monastery, in its temples and caves, prominent hierarchs, church and state figures rest. For example, the first Kyiv Metropolitan Mikhail, Prince Theodore Ostrozhsky, Archimandrites Elisha (Pletenetsky), Innokenty (Gizel) are buried here. Near the walls of the Dormition Cathedral of the Lavra was the grave of Natalia Dolgorukova, who died in 1771 (in monasticism - Nectaria), the daughter of an associate of Peter the Great, Field Marshal B.P. Dolgorukov. To this selfless and beautiful woman famous poets poems were dedicated, legends circulated about her. She was a generous benefactor of the Lavra. Also, an outstanding military leader Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky is buried here. He himself bequeathed to bury himself in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, which was done at the choir of the Cathedral of the Assumption Church. An outstanding church figure, Metropolitan Flavian (Gorodetsky), who played a significant role in the life of the Lavra, is buried in the Exaltation of the Cross Church. In 1911, the land of the monastery received the remains of an outstanding statesman Pyotr Arkadyevich Stolypin. It is very symbolic that next to the Lavra, in the Church of the Savior on Berestovo (this is an ancient city that was the summer residence of the Kyiv princes), the founder of Moscow, Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, is buried.

Temples and buildings on the territory of the Lavra.

- Over the gate (above the holy gates of the Lavra) temple in the name of the Life-Giving Trinity. Trinity Gate Church (Holy Gates) - the oldest surviving (8);
– Annozachatievskaya Church (62);
– Big Lavra bell tower (14);
– Belfry in the Near Caves (42);
– Belfry at the Far Caves (60);
– Exaltation of the Cross Church (44);
– Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (10);
– Refectory Church of Saints Anthony and Theodosius (20);
– Church of “All the Reverend Fathers of the Caves” (46);
– Church “Life-Giving Spring” (56);
– Church of All Saints (26);
– Church and former hospital chambers of the St. Nicholas Monastery (30);
- Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (58);
- Church of the Savior on Berestovo (28);
- Church of Christ's Resurrection (75);
- Church of the Annunciation (19).
On the territory of the Lavra are also located:
– Tower of Ivan Kushchnik;
- Fraternal Corps;
– Former cells of the cathedral elders;
– former house the governor of the Lavra (16);
– Former economic building;
– Gallery leading to the Near Caves;
– Gallery leading to the Far Caves;
– Debosketovskaya (support) wall;
– Western Economic Gate;
– The building of the former metropolitan chambers (18);
– Kyiv Theological Seminary and Academy (68);
– Kiev Regional School of Culture;
- Kovnirovsky building (the building of the former bakery and bookstore) (25);
- Well of St. Anthony (54);
- The well of St. Theodosius (55);
– Building of the former printing house (24);
– Fortress walls;
– Painting tower;
- Metropolis;
– Onufriyevskaya tower;
– Monument to Nestor the Chronicler (74);
- Clock tower;
– Chapel;
– South gate;
- Pyotr Stolypin's grave.

Lavra (Greek Λαύρα - city street, crowded monastery ) is the name of some of the largest male Orthodox monasteries of special historical and spiritual significance.
There are two laurels in Russia: the Trinity-Sergius Lavra (since 1744, Sergiev Posad) and the Alexander Nevsky Lavra (since 1797, St. Petersburg).
In Ukraine, three Orthodox monasteries are currently laurels: the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (since 1598 or 1688, Kyiv), the Pochaev-Assumption Lavra (since 1833, Pochaev), the Svyatogorsk Assumption Lavra (since 2004, Svyatogorsk).
stauropegia (from Greek letters. crucifixion ) is a status assigned to Orthodox monasteries, laurels and brotherhoods, as well as cathedrals and theological schools, making them independent of the local diocesan authorities and directly subordinate to the patriarch or synod. The literal translation "hoisting the cross" indicates that in stavropegic monasteries the cross was hoisted by the patriarchs with their own hands. Stauropegial status is the highest.

On the high slopes of the right bank of the Dnieper, the Assumption Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, majestically crowned with golden domes, is the lot of the Most Holy Theotokos, the cradle of monasticism in Russia and the stronghold of the Orthodox faith. The ancient Tradition of the Church says that the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, while traveling with a Christian sermon to the lands of the Scythians, blessed the slopes of the Dnieper. He turned to his disciples with the words: “Do you see these mountains? The grace of God will shine on these mountains, and a great city should be here, and God will set up many churches.” Thus, together with the first churches of Kievan Rus, the Lavra monastery became the realization of the prophetic words of the Apostle.

In the Orthodox world, it is defined after Jerusalem and Mount Athos in Greece. Everything here is shrouded in secrets: caves, churches, bell towers, and most of all - people's lives. It is hardly known to a wide circle, for example, that the Russian hero Ilya Muromets and the founder of Moscow, Yuri Dolgoruky, were buried on the territory of the Lavra. The number of saints incomparable with any other monastery and the amazing world of their imperishable relics continue to attract millions of pilgrims here.

For a thousand years of existence, the Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra has acquired many incredible stories. Truth mixed with fiction, miraculous with real. But before proceeding to the legends, let's turn to history. The land here is really holy, praying.

The lands, on which the vast territory of the Lavra was later spread, were known as far back as the 11th century, as woodland where the monks retired to pray. One of these monks was the priest Hilarion, from the nearby village of Berestovo. He dug himself a prayer cave, which he soon abandoned.
Centuries have passed. In the 11th century, the monk Anthony returned to Kyiv land. He was originally from the Chernihiv region, took the tonsure on Athos, where he was going to stay. But Anthony was given a sign to return to his homeland and serve the Lord there. In 1051, he settled on Berestovaya Gora in a cave, which the priest Hilarion dug for his prayers and solitude. Anthony's ascetic life attracted monks: some came to him for blessings, others wanted to live like him.
A few years later he had students - Nikon and Theodosius. Gradually the brethren grew, expanding their underground cells.
When the brethren gathered 12 people, Anthony appointed Varlaam hegumen over them, and he himself moved to another mountain, where he again retired to an underground cell. Later, an underground labyrinth arose on this mountain - the current Anthony or Near Caves. The brethren, led by Varlaam, first set up a "small church" over the original cave, and in 1062 built a church in honor of the Virgin. At the same time, Prince Izyaslav Yaroslavich, at the request of St. Anthony, presented the monks with a mountain above the caves, which they fenced and built up, creating the so-called Old Monastery. Since that time, the monastery became ground, the caves began to serve as a cemetery, and only ascetics-ascetics remained to live in them.
It is from the caves that the name of the Lavra comes - Pechersk. The year of its foundation is considered to be 1051, when the Monk Anthony settled here.

Assumption Cathedral in the painting by Vereshchagin, 1905

Soon the Monk Varlaam was transferred by Izyaslav Yaroslavich to the princely Dmitrievsky monastery, and the Monk Anthony "appointed" another hegumen, Theodosius of the Caves, under whom the number of monks increased from twenty to one hundred and the first (Studio) monastery charter was adopted. Under Theodosius, Prince Svyatoslav Yaroslavich donated land to the monastery, on which the Assumption Cathedral was laid (1073). Around the stone church, under the next hegumen Stefan, the first wooden structures New monastery - fence, cells and utility rooms. At the beginning of the XII century. the stone Trinity gate church and the refectory formed the original architectural ensemble of the Upper Lavra. The enclosed space between the New and Old monasteries was partly occupied by kitchen gardens and orchards, and partly by the dwellings of monastic artisans and servants; here prp. Theodosius Pechersky organized a yard for the poor and the sick with the church of St. Stephen.

The independence of the monastery from princely power (unlike other monasteries) contributed to the fact that already at the end of the 11th century. it became not only the most authoritative, largest and richest monastic community in Russia, but also an outstanding cultural center.
The monastery played a significant role in the development of Ukrainian culture - the construction of temples improved the skills of architects and artists, the first printing house in Russia was founded here. Famous chroniclers, writers, scientists, artists, doctors, book publishers lived and worked in the Lavra. It was here, around 1113, that the chronicler Nestor compiled The Tale of Bygone Years, the main source of modern knowledge about Kievan Rus.
Chronicles and lives, icons and works of sacred music were created here. The famous names of St. Alicia, Rev. Agapita, Rev. Nestor and other monks. Since 1171, the abbots of the Caves were called archimandrites (then it was the rank of the eldest among the abbots of the city). Even before the Mongol invasion, approximately 50 Cave monks became bishops in different cities Russia.

At the beginning of the eleventh century, the then monastery gradually turns into a center for the spread and approval Christian religion on the territory of Kievan Rus. In connection with the defeat of Kyiv by the hordes of Batu Khan, the monastery fell into decay for several centuries, like the whole life of Kyiv, and only in the XIV century did the revival of the Kiev-Pechersky monastery begin.

In 1619, the monastery received a very influential and serious status of "Lavra" - the most important and huge monastery for those times.
The Greek word "lavra" means "street", "built-up city block", from VI Art. "laurels" were called crowded monasteries of the East. In Ukraine and Russia, the largest monasteries also called themselves laurels, but this status was given only to the richest and most influential monasteries.
Already by that time, there were two cities in the possession of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra - Radomysl and Vasilkov. By the end of the eighteenth century, the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra became the largest church feudal lord on the territory of what was then Ukraine: in the possession of the Lavra there are seven small towns, more than two hundred villages and farms, three cities, and, in addition, at least seventy thousand serfs, two paper factories , about twenty factories for the production of bricks and glass, distilleries and mills, as well as taverns and even horse farms. In 1745, the Lavra bell tower was built, which for a long time was the tallest building on the territory of the Russian Empire and still remains one of the symbols of the monastery. At the end of the 17th century, the Lavra was subordinate to the Moscow Patriarch and, as a result, the archimandrite of the Lavra receives the so-called primacy over all other Russian metropolitans. In 1786, the Lavra passes under the Kyiv Metropolis. As a result, by the end of the 19th century, in addition to the property listed above, the Lavra had 6 monasteries at its disposal, which was a very impressive and, in fact, a record figure.

In the XIX - at the beginning of the XX century. the architectural ensemble of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra acquired completeness. Covered galleries to the Near and Far caves were ordered, and the territory of the caves was surrounded by a fortress wall. Several residential buildings for pilgrims were built on the territory of the Gostiny Dvor, a hospital, a new refectory, and a library. The Lavra printing house remained one of the most powerful Kyiv publishing houses, and the icon-painting workshop occupied a prominent place in art.
At the beginning of the XX century. The Kiev-Pechersk Lavra numbered about 500 monks and 600 novices who lived in four united monasteries - the Pechersky Monastery proper, St. Nicholas or Trinity Hospital, in the Near and Far caves. In addition, the Lavra owned three deserts - Goloseevskaya, Kitaevskaya and Preobrazhenskaya.

Not one of the Russian sovereigns ignored the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra: Alexei Mikhailovich and Peter the Great, Catherine II, Anna Ioannovna, Nicholas I and Nicholas II, Alexander I, Alexander II, Alexander III, Paul, Elizabeth ...
In 1911, the land of the monastery received the remains of Pyotr Arkadievich Stolypin, an outstanding statesman of the Russian Empire.

After the October Revolution of 1917 the most difficult times in its history began for the Lavra.
After the victory of the Bolsheviks, the monks tried to adapt to the new conditions. In April 1919, the Kiev-Lavra agricultural and handicraft labor community was organized, consisting of approximately 1000 clerics, novices and monastic workers. The community was given part of the agricultural property of the Lavra. Other property, both movable and immovable, was confiscated during several nationalizations during 1919-22. The huge monastery library and printing house were transferred to the All-Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. In 1922 under pressure new government The Lavra Spiritual Cathedral ceased its activity, but the monastic community continued to function.
In 1923, the Museum of Cults and Life began to operate on the territory of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. At the same time, a disabled town was organized here, the leadership and residents of which actually robbed the monks. In 1926, the territory of the Lavra was proclaimed a reserve, and the creation of a huge Museum town began here. The monks were finally expelled from the ancient Orthodox shrine in 1929.
Enormous damage was done to architectural and historical values ​​during the Great Patriotic War. The main religious building of the country, which survived the Tatar-Mongol invasion, Lithuanian and Polish rule, the endless wars of the Russian Empire, could not escape from the Bolshevik barbarism. Soviet underground workers in 1941 Assumption Cathedral was blown up. Only part of the church wall has survived. This is a huge loss for the Ukrainian people.

During the occupation of Kyiv, the German command allowed the monastery to resume its activities. The initiator of the renewal was Archbishop Anthony of Kherson and Taurida, known to the world as the Georgian prince David Abashidze. It was he who at one time was the rector of the seminary, from which the young Joseph Dzhugashvilli (Stalin) was expelled. The "leader of the peoples", however, respected the elder and did not interfere in the affairs of the revived Lavra. Therefore, the Soviets returned their "governorship" after the death of Stalin - in the era of Nikita Khrushchev, who distinguished himself by the oppression of religion.
In June 1988, in connection with the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Kievan Rus and, accordingly, in accordance with the decision of the Council of Ministers of the URSR, the territory of the Far Caves, the so-called. "Lower" Lavra, with all ground buildings and caves; and in 1990. the territory of the Near Caves was also transferred. The reserve "Kiev-Pechersk Lavra" cooperates with the monastery, which in 1996 was given the status of National. In 1990, the complex of Lavra buildings was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Already in the days of independent Ukraine, using the ancient methods of construction, specialists managed to recreate the main Lavra temple. In 2000, the Assumption Cathedral was consecrated.

... We are standing near the Holy Gates. Now it is the main entrance to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. In the old days there was a sign: after passing through the gate, a person received the remission of half of his sins. But if suddenly a parishioner stumbled, it was believed that he had too many sins, and they pulled him down. Adjacent to the gates is the Church of the Holy Trinity, built in the 12th century at the expense of Prince Nicholas Svyatosha. By the way, he became one of the first princes of Kyiv who was tonsured in the Lavra. He also founded a hospital for the infirm brothers here ...

Trinity Gate Church is one of the 6 monuments of princely times that have survived to this day. She, too, has undergone changes and now has features of the Ukrainian baroque, like St. Sophia of Kyiv. It houses a wonderful iconostasis of the 18th century, similar to amazing golden lace, shining with sun reflections. It's hard to believe that this beauty was carved from a simple tree.
The entrance to the monastery passes through the gate of this church. They say that once priests-goalkeepers stood here and at a distance they felt a person who walked with unkind thoughts. Such they returned back, offering to think and come next time. Before passing through the church arch, it is necessary to bow low to the holy monastery, and only after that - go inside and dissolve in the architectural grandeur.

We pass through the Holy Gates and find ourselves on the territory of the Upper Lavra. Opposite the Trinity Church bathed in golden brilliance sun rays rebuilt Cathedral of the Assumption.
It seemed to people that such a beautiful temple could not be built by ordinary human hands, so the people composed many poetic legends about him.

Architects from Constantinople came to Saints Anthony and Theodosius. They told that they had a vision of the Mother of God and an order to go to Kyiv to build a temple.
"Where will the church stand?" they asked Saints Anthony and Theodosius. “Where the Lord will point,” they heard the answer. And for three days, dew and heavenly fire fell in the same place. There, in 1073, the Assumption Church was laid. At the same time, the Varangian governor Shimon granted the elders and donated a golden crown and belt for the construction of the cathedral. He also spoke about the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God and about the order to give valuables for the construction of the temple. Subsequently, the Varangian converted to Orthodoxy, becoming Simon at baptism, and was buried in the Lavra (his great-great-granddaughter Sofya Aksakova also found her last shelter here). A few years after those miraculous events, the temple was built, and the Byzantine architects, like the icon painters who painted it, accepted monasticism here.
The Assumption Cathedral was known as the heart of the Lavra. Many people were buried here famous people, for example, the Monk Theodosius. Initially, the elder was buried in his cave, but three years later the monks decided that it was not appropriate for one of the founders of the monastery to lie there. The relics of the monk turned out to be incorruptible - they were transferred and buried in the Assumption Cathedral.

The cathedral was decorated with ancient Russian frescoes and fragments of mosaics, intricate molding, and wall paintings by outstanding masters S. Kovnir, Z. Golubovsky, G. Pastukhov; images of historical persons - kings, princes, hetmans, metropolitans. The floor of the temple was covered with mosaic patterns, and the icons were contained only in silver robes covered with gold. The unique building served as the tomb of the Kyiv princes, the higher clergy, educators, patrons of the arts and other prominent compatriots. Therefore, the significance of the Assumption Cathedral is hard to overestimate: it was a real stone treasury that kept within its walls the history of our people.

Next to the recreated cathedral are the St. Nicholas Church with a dome dotted with stars, and the Great Lavra Bell Tower, built in 1731-44. It was built by the German architect Johann Gottfried Schedel. Planned to complete in three years - but spent as much as 13 years! He was very proud of his work - and for good reason. The large bell tower (height 96 m.) is popularly called "Kievskaya" because of the slight slope. leaning tower of pisa". However, thanks to a 20-meter massive foundation 8 meters thick deepened into the ground, the Lavra tower, unlike the Italian one, is not in danger of falling. Before the advent eiffel tower The Great Lavra Bell Tower was considered the tallest building in Europe.

To the right of the Assumption Cathedral is the Refectory Church with a refectory chamber, thanks to which a huge number of believers can attend the service. In the center of the room, like a huge gray cloud, hangs a "chandelier" donated by Nicholas II - a chandelier weighing 1200 kg.

And we follow further - to the Lower Lavra, to the most mysterious places - the Near and Far Caves.
In the old days, even serious historians claimed that the caves from the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra stretch right up to Chernigov! Others said that the Kyiv Lavra was connected with the Pochaev Lavra by caves.
All this is from the realm of idle speculation. But, of course, there were no secrets! In the first years of Soviet power, archaeologists persistently searched for treasures here. They did not find it, but the atheists themselves admitted that in some corners of the caves, suddenly water poured on their heads, then a pillar of fire rose.

In the cramped earthen shelters of the first caves, the monks prayed, and many are buried here. By the way, the relics of St. Anthony were never found. It is believed that they are "under the bushel". According to legend, Antony was giving parting words to his brothers when a collapse suddenly occurred. The brothers tried to eliminate him and bring the monk out, but a flame escaped...
Many monks became recluses: they closed the entrance to their cell, receiving only food and water through a small window. And if the bread remained untouched for several days, the brothers understood that the hermit had died.

The hermit monks who lived here in ancient times were buried in underground cells, and gradually the caves turned into a monastery cemetery. They washed the exposed parts of the body, folded their arms on their chests and covered their faces. After that, it was forbidden to look at the face of the deceased (therefore, even today the faces of the saints resting in the caves are not opened). Then the body was laid on a board and placed in a specially dug niche - the locula. The entrance to it was closed with a wooden shutter or walled up. According to the Studian statute, the burial rite had its continuation after three years, when the locula was opened, and the bones, cleansed of flesh, were transferred to the kymetirium ossuaries. Then the body was placed in the crypts dug out in the caves and walled up, and the burial place was covered with an icon or a wooden plaque with an inscription about the deceased. The relics of canonized ascetics, preserved incorruptible, were dressed in brocade vestments, placed in special, mostly cypress tombs, and placed in the corridors for worship. Of the 122 relics resting in both caves, 49 belong to the pre-Mongolian period.

Relics of St. Elijah of Muromets of the Caves

By the grace of God, there are many monasteries and places on Christian land where the incorruptible relics of ascetics and martyrs glorified by the Church are kept as the greatest shrine. But there is no other place on the planet where such a number of holy relics would be stored as in the Lavra.
When visiting the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, pilgrims, pilgrims and tourists primarily seek to visit the caves. The place is very unusual. The caves have many passages, some of them are as tall as a man, and in some places they are so low that you have to bend down. Even now, with the walls fortified and lit, it's a little creepy to walk alone there. And to imagine the life of monks, for years, living in darkness and silence, alone with themselves and God, it is simply impossible for us today ...
Now the labyrinths of the Near and Far caves are a complex system of underground corridors 2-2.5 m high. The depth of the Near caves is 10-15 m, the Far - 15-20 m. The monks dug them for centuries. The total length of the dungeons existing under the Lavra is enormous. But those of them that served as dwellings for ascetics, a monastic cemetery and a place of worship are open to the public.

In the 16th-17th centuries, the Near Caves were a complex system of corridors, consisting of three main streets. Inside this settlement, under the thickness of the earth, there were two churches: the Entry of the Virgin into the Temple, which is considered the most ancient and of St. Anthony of the Caves. Somewhat later they built a third one - the Reverend Varlaam of the Caves. The monastic brethren were always tirelessly building, and after the earthquake in 1620, when part of the labyrinths collapsed, the underground architects made repairs in them, and reinforced the cave street with bricks. In the 18th century, the floor in the caves was made of cast-iron slabs, which still serve well today. In the 19th century, the brethren added new iconostases to the already existing ones, and the holy relics in the tombs were dressed in expensive brocade and silk dresses, embroidered with gold and silver threads, river mother-of-pearl and beads.

It must be said that scientists have repeatedly carried out studies of the Lavra dungeons and relics. Archaeologists, historians, physicians, biologists worked in the caves. Mostly people of atheistic upbringing and far from the church. But the results of experiments and observations so impressed the researchers themselves that many of them believed in God. After all, they themselves proved that the relics of the saints have unique, inexplicable properties of science.
After a series of experiments, Kyiv scientists realized that the power of the Holy Spirit is real! That grace and healing come from icons, that the pectoral cross protects from evil forces, and the relics of saints heal people and speed up the growth of plants.
Concrete and striking examples have repeatedly convinced us that the saints hear, help, heal, admonish, perform miracles and console. The reverends hear those of us who speak to them as if they were alive, who are familiar with their lives and firmly believe in their help. And to strengthen faith, the Caves saints can generously reward and surprise the petitioner with a miracle.

There are many wonderful things in the Lavra! Downstairs, in the temple "Life-Giving Spring" a prayer service is held every morning. After him, parishioners can put on a hat consecrated on the relics of St. Mark the Gravedigger (XI-XII centuries). Blessed Mark dug both cells and graves for the departed brothers. The Lord gave him unprecedented power: somehow he fell ill and could not dig a grave for the deceased monk.
And then Mark conveyed through another monk a request to the deceased: they say, brother, wait a minute to depart for the Kingdom of the Lord, the grave is not yet ready for you. Many witnessed a miracle, some ran away in fear when the deceased came to his senses and opened his eyes. The next day, Mark said that the monastery for the newly deceased was ready - at the same moment the monk closed his eyes and died again.
On another occasion, Mark asked the deceased monk to lie down in the cave himself and pour oil on himself, which he did. An artifact is still kept in the Lavra - the cross of Mark the Gravedigger: inside it was hollow and the monk drank water from it. Even in the last century, parishioners could kiss him, now he has been transferred to the funds of the Lavra Reserve.

Our path is to the Far Caves. If you go down from the Annozachatievsky Church, you can follow the route to the Far Caves. Some of its branches are closed to the public. But the relics of 49 saints are exhibited here, and some of them do not have their hands covered, and you can see the imperishable relics. The oldest underground churches are located here: the Church of the Nativity of Christ, the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos and St. Theodosius of the Caves.
It was believed that the soul would certainly receive the forgiveness of sins and go to heaven if a person was buried in the Lavra. Whether this is true or not is unknown. But about the miraculous myrrh-streaming of the relics of the righteous, placed in tombs from cypress tree, know far beyond the borders of Ukraine. The phenomenon is really mysterious: a myrrh-healing substance containing up to 80% of living protein is released from dry flesh. Without seeing it, it's hard to believe. So pilgrims go to the caves to bow to the holy relics and see the amazing myrrh.
In 1988, when the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra restored its prayer activity, the monks noticed that from that day on, the heads and relics of the saints who were in it were streaming myrrh! Then myrrh was collected in bowls - there were so many of them! Apparently, the Higher Forces reacted in this way to the return of the shrines of the church.
In Russian history, when the Bolsheviks destroyed hundreds of churches and killed tens of thousands of priests, the heads and relics of saints in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra were not myrrh-streaming.

The names of the 24 saints resting here are unknown, but it is known that here are the relics of Ilya Muromets, the Monk Nestor the Chronicler, the author of the Tale of Bygone Years, the relics of St. Longinus and Theodosius of the Caves, and the head of Pope Clement. It was presented to Prince Vladimir on the occasion of the adoption of Christianity.
The bodies of the dead monks buried in the caves did not decompose, but were mummified. Even today, after 1000 years, the preservation of some of them is impressive.
Scientists in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra have not found an answer why even a dried corpse ordinary person- this is by no means a fragrance, and near the relics of the holy righteous there is neither the smell of decay nor decomposition, next to them is a fragrance. Science will never comprehend this mystery, you just need to believe in it.

One of the unclear points is the Varangian caves. The entrance there is now closed, although they are connected to the Far Caves. The place is considered dangerous due to collapses and landslides - or maybe for another reason! Indeed, even in good times, the Varangian caves were not honored by the monks ... There is a legend that long before the arrival of Anthony, these passages were dug by thieves and other dark personalities.
They robbed ships passing along the way "from the Varangians to the Greeks", and hid the good in these dungeons.
There is a dark fame about the Varangian caves. In the XII century. Blessed Theodore settled here, distributing his wealth to the laity, and then regretting what he had done. The demon began to seduce him and pointed out a place in the Varangian back streets where the treasure was hidden. Fedor was about to flee with gold and silver, but the Monk Basil kept him from sinning. Fedor repented, dug a huge hole and hid the treasure.
But the Kyiv prince Mstislav found out about this and tried to find out from the elder the location of the treasure. Fedor died under torture, but did not open himself. Then the prince set about Vasily. The angry feudal lord shot an arrow at Blessed Basil, and he, dying, answered: “You yourself will die from the same arrow.” The elders were later buried in the Varangian cave. But Mstislav really died, pierced by an arrow. Later, many people were looking for the "Varangian treasure" - someone lost his mind, someone even life. But the charmed gold was never found.
... Over the thousand-year history of its existence, the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra has acquired many myths and legends. How many spiritual feats have seen the cells and walls of monasteries! How many people have witnessed the miracles of the Lord!

On the territory of the Lavra there are many museums and exhibitions. For example, in the Museum of Jewels you can see a priceless collection of historical treasures from the times of Kievan Rus.
A significant part of the Museum's collections are items of decorative and applied art of the 16th-20th centuries: works by Ukrainian, Russian, Central Asian, Transcaucasian and Western European jewelers. There is also a unique collection of Jewish cult silver from the early 18th - 20s. XX centuries, as well as the work of modern Ukrainian jewelers.
The State Museum of Books and Printing of Ukraine is also very interesting. The museum contains the rich treasures of the book culture of the Ukrainian people, about 56 thousand items. The exposition covers the history of domestic books and book business from the time of Kievan Rus to the present day; talks about the creation of writing among the Eastern Slavs, about handwritten book X-XVI centuries, about the origin of printing in Europe, the beginning and development of Cyrillic printing, about the publishing activity of Ivan Fedorov and other prominent creators of the Ukrainian book of the XVI-XVIII centuries.
Of great interest is the "Apostle", published in Lvov in 1574 by the printing house of Ivan Fedorov, whose name is associated with the beginning of book printing in Ukraine.
Don't forget to check out the microminiature museum. Here you will see that only a few have the talent to shoe a flea....
The museum presents such exhibits as the world's smallest working electric motor, the size of which is less than 1/20 millimeters of cubic and, it is difficult to imagine that this device is almost 20 times smaller than a poppy seed. Among other microminiatures presented in the Museum in the Kiev-Pechersk Reserve, there are no less interesting, unique and inimitable. Which? Come, see, learn and be surprised!

It is difficult to imagine Kyiv without the unique beauty and grandeur of the architectural complex of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. If you were in Kyiv and did not see the Lavra, then you did not see Kyiv.
And I really want to believe that the great shrine of Kievan Rus will be protected and preserved so that our descendants can enjoy the unique monument of all Orthodox humanity. However, everything depends only on ourselves - on those who live today and now.

Photos taken from the Internet

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv is not just an attraction visited by guests of the capital, tourists, and Kievans. This is a “must visit” place, where every person must go once in a lifetime.

The special atmosphere of the Lavra, the history of its shrines, the secrets of the caves make you think about life, think about the most important and intimate things. A walk around the monastery, an overview of the surroundings of Kyiv and the Dnieper from the hills of the Lavra leave no one indifferent to the architecture and picturesqueness of this place.

History of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

The status of "lavra" is assigned to large monasteries, which is the Kiev-Pechersk shrine. It began its existence in the middle of the 11th century, when the name Caves Monastery began to appear in the annals. The status of the Lavra was granted only in 1688.

In 1073, a stone church was erected on the site of a wooden church, which stood for only five years. The Polovtsy horde attacked Kyiv and destroyed many of its shrines, including the Pechersky Monastery. Only by the beginning of the 12th century. the monastery was able to recover, but during the 12-13 centuries. several times became the object of robberies of nomadic peoples. The attack on Kyiv in 1240 caused great damage to the Kiev-Pechersk monastery and the monks, some of whom were killed, while others simply fled.

The revival of the monastery began in 1470, when it was completely rebuilt. There were raids, but the temples and cells of the holy place did not suffer much. At the beginning of the 18th century in part of the library, the monastery, residential buildings were destroyed by fire, but the church itself survived.

20th century became for the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra one of the most difficult in history. The Bolsheviks tried to destroy him, but they managed to dissuade them from this idea. The occupation of Kyiv in 1941 by German troops was a tragedy for the monks of the monastery. A police station was organized here, the Assumption Cathedral was blown up, from where all the valuables and jewelry were taken out before that. After Ukraine gained independence, the renovation of the monastery began. In particular, the Lavra lithography was restored, the cells, the church were renovated, the Assumption Cathedral was restored according to old drawings and diagrams.

Shrines of the Lavra

• The monastery is known for its underground world, which is divided into Near (Antoniev) and Far Caves. They store the incorruptible relics of 79 saints (in the Near Caves) and 49 saints in the Far Caves. In the Anthony caves there are ancient burial places, among which the relics of St. Anthony occupy a place of honor. In the underground world there are three streets, a cave church, a refectory. Theodosius is buried in the Far Caves, there is a church named after the saint, his cell and several underground churches.
• The icon of the Mother of God "The Tsaritsa" is considered miraculous. In 2010, one of the parishioners received her sight, bowing to the icon.
• The image of the Mother of God “Pechersk Praise” heals from ailments.
• The myrrh-streaming heads are the relics of the Lavra, which became the heads of the saints. Their monks keep for centuries in vessels with a special solution. When the heads dry up, they begin to stream myrrh.

Infrastructure of the Lavra

On the territory of the monastery there are various buildings and structures. These are bell towers, churches, towers and temples. In particular, the Assumption Cathedral and the bell tower are located in the Near Caves, the bell tower, the Refectory Church of Saints Anthony and Theodosius are located in the Far Caves. There are cells of monks, the residence of the abbot, a seminary, hospital wards in the Lavra complex.

How to get there

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is located on Lavrskaya street 23.

You can get here by metro, getting off at the Arsenalnaya station. Then, through the underpass, you can go to the bus and trolleybus stops. Bus number 24 and trolleybus number 38 go to the Lavra. Get off at the stop “National Museum of the Great Patriotic War". Then go along Lavrskaya Street to the gate, which will then lead to Bliznepecherskaya Street, or go a little further - to the Holy Gates (main entrance).

You can go straight from Arsenalnaya all the time, and in 15 minutes there will be a monastery.

The address: Ukraine, Kyiv
Foundation date: 1051
Main attractions: Assumption Cathedral, Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow", Church of All Saints, Exaltation of the Cross Church, Warm Church in honor of all the Reverend Fathers of the Caves, Temple in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring", Refectory Church, Near Caves , Far Caves
Coordinates: 50°26"06.3"N 30°33"24.0"E

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is the center of Christianity and a shrine for the believing people. This place has a long history, is famous for its temples, beautiful places.

Today, the ensemble of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra consists of more than a hundred stone structures, about twenty churches and more than 40 architectural monuments.

View of the Upper Lavra

History of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

On the right bank of the Dnieper, the unsurpassed Kiev-Pechersk Lavra flaunts from afar, in the Pechersky district of the city of Kyiv, which is the oldest district of the capital. The name of the district is due to the fact that the first monks once lived in caves (Ukrainian - “pechera”). The monastery was founded, according to historical data, in the XI century. But the name "lavra" Pechersky monastery received in the XII century. The monastery, approximately by the second half of the 11th century, becomes the largest architectural center in Kievan Rus. Tiled and mosaic workshops were located here. 100 years later, namely at the end of the 12th century, defensive ramparts and fortification ramparts with towers and loopholes were erected around the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.

General view of the Lavra

In the same period, the Trinity Gate Church was built on the territory of the monastery, which is one of the 6 monuments of princely times, which has survived to this day. Kiev-Pechersk Lavra survived Tatar-Mongol invasions, the years of the Second World War, as well as the most difficult periods of Lithuanian and Polish rule. However, despite the destruction and damage, the monastery withstood and today is a historical and cultural reserve with an area of ​​28 hectares, where the relics of more than 400 saints are kept. There are many famous architects, doctors, writers, artists of Kievan Rus among the saints. So, for example, the relics of Nestor the chronicler - historiographer, author of "The Tale of Past Years" are kept here. This is the only place in the world where so many shrines are kept.

Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Churches and temples of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

Huge historical meaning has the National Reserve of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, where there are about twenty churches, of different sizes and ages, differing in interiors and styles. The most famous are the Trinity Church, the Assumption Cathedral, which adorns the Cathedral Square, the Refectory Church. Also of interest is the main Lavra bell tower, from where, at a glance, the whole of Kyiv is visible. The Trinity Nadbramnaya Church is located above the entrance to the Holy Lavra. There is a belief that in order to be cleansed from sins, it is necessary to go through the gates of the church twice. The church was built at the beginning of the twelfth century. Despite the fact that the church is small in size, there are 120 plot biblical compositions on its walls.

Refectory Church of Saints Anthony and Theodosius

The architecture of the church is represented by multi-profile cornices, pilasters, and ceramic rosettes. And, of course, admire the beautiful blue dome of the church with golden stars. On the main cathedral square of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra rises the Assumption Cathedral, the construction of which dates back to the 11th century. Of course, at that time he looked completely different than today. Then it was a rectangular one-story building with one dome. The Moscow architect Vasiliev, after a fire in the 18th century, united all the buildings of the cathedral under one roof. The temple becomes a square, two-story building with seven gilded domes. In the Assumption Cathedral there are up to three hundred graves of church and famous historical figures.

Trinity Gate Church

The Assumption Cathedral was the center of the entire great architectural composition of the Lavra, however, in early November 1941, when German generals and Slovak President Josef Tiso visited the Lavra, the temple was blown up and the cathedral was destroyed. In November 1998, based on the available archival data, its reconstruction began, with funds raised by the residents of the city of Kyiv, which ended in 2000. Thus, today the Assumption Cathedral repeats an exact copy of the cathedral of the XI century.

This cathedral is famous for its altar, with an absolutely wonderful iconostasis, 25 meters long and 22.5 meters high. There are several world-famous temple icons here, namely, the icons of the Virgin, Jesus Christ, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. There are about 69 icons in total.

Big Lavra Bell Tower

There are also other very interesting buildings on the Cathedral Square. Here is the residence of the metropolitans who lived here until 1918 and the Church of the Annunciation. Now the residence building houses a museum dedicated to Ukrainian arts and crafts.

Next to the chambers of the metropolitans is a small building, consisting of 2 floors. Previously, there was a refectory on this site, built at the end of the 19th century in the ecliptic style. Not far from the refectory, the Refectory Church was built, which today is not only a museum, but also a functioning church. This church is considered one of the latest buildings and is a large room in the shape of an octahedron. The temple has a very beautiful marble iconostasis and an icon of Anthony Theodosius of the Caves.

Church of All Saints

Other unique place national reserve considered the main Lavra bell tower, the construction of which lasted from 1731 to 1745. The height of the bell tower is about 96 meters, the depth of the granite foundation is about eight meters, the thickness of the walls is seven meters, and the diameter is about 29 meters. The bell tower consists of four tiers, decorated in their own way. The huge dome of the bell tower has an area of ​​more than five hundred square meters, and the cross, whose height is four and a half meters, completes the construction. On the fourth tier of the bell tower in December 1903, a chiming clock was installed, the weight of which is 4.5 tons. The second tier housed the public library. The bell tower at one time was the tallest building in the city of Kyiv. From here you can really enjoy the view of a part of the city, a city located on the left bank, and, of course, the entire Lavra.

Church of the Savior on Berestovo

Caves of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

Caves created by man are considered to be a unique phenomenon of the reserve: Near and Far. This is the main attraction where the relics of the Lavra saints are buried. In front of the entrance to the caves there is the Exaltation of the Cross Church, which has retained its original appearance to this day. In the caves of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, six small underground churches have been preserved. The total length of the caves, underground labyrinths is more than 500 m, the height is two meters, the width is more than one meter, and the depth at which they are located is from five to twenty meters. In the eighteenth century, the caves were fortified against landslides and were painted. There are iconostases made of gilded copper, and holy relics are stored in the tombs.