Clay from St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery for Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra needs

Did you know that to construct new buildings on its territory, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra brickyard foundries, located in Lybid river banks, bought clay from St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery?

Clay was digged up from the deposits situated near Lavra’s brickyard foundries. It was used to strengthen Pechersk hills. Clay-rich lands belonged to St. Michael’s Monastery. In 1773, Archimandrite Zosima (Valkevych) applied to Theoctiste, Archimandrite of St. Michael’s Monastery for the permission to use clay suitable for construction purposes. After consultations with brethren’s community and Metropolitan Gabriel, Theoctiste agreed to give clay but he put forth the condition, under which Lavra had to pay required sum of money and conclude a contract between the monasteries. According to the contract, Lavra had to build housekeeping premises on the lands of St. Michael’s Monastery and pay money for the site lease in advance. It is worth saying that Theoctiste did not give an immediate positive answer, appealing to the fact that St. Michael’s Monastery was also in need for good clay to construct its new cells. At first he wanted to give that land to Pechersk monastery only for one summer period. But, as it is known, the contract renewed regularly until 1778, at the very least.

Caption to the illustration:

Il. 1. St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery. 19th century. Photo from the album of S. Kulzhenko

Anna Filipova