Description of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra prepared by Adrian Prakhov

Did you know who was the author of the description of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra?

This work was done in autumn, 1909, by Adrian Viktorovych Prakhov, an art historian, archaeologist, art critic and professor of Kyiv and St. Petersburg Universities.

The researcher applied to Flavian (Gorodetsky), Metropolitan of Kyiv and Halychyna, the Holy Archimandrite of Pechersk Monastery. He asked for the permission to get acquainted with the Monastery’s archives, make drawings of Lavra’s artistic values, prepare dimensional plans of architectural monuments, use available photographs from the photographic workshop unit and take new photographs.

Unfortunately, Adrian Prakhov’s request was not granted. According to the opinion, released by the Theological Council, preparation of such artistic description could cause harmful effect on the Monastery’s own printed matter ( “History of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra”) planned to be published.

Captions to illustrations:

Il. 1. Adrian Viktorovych Prakhov (1846–1916)

Il. 2. Gate Church of the Trinity, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Early 20th century. [Inv. № KPL-N-3659]

Anna Yanenko