Dear friends!

Today we bring to your attention our next release of “Memories of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” photo project.

The year 1991 had a life-changing effect for our country. Ukraine finally regained its independence. The year was marked by numerous rallies and demonstrations in support of independence and state sovereignty. However, KGB continued its usual functioning by capturing, identifying, and “penciling” opponents of the current regime. Photo № 1 shows the march in support of independence. It was made by a KGB officer at one of the rallies. As a result, protesters were identified, and photo was handed over to the then director of the Preserve. In the center, one can see scientist K.V. Khomenko. He wears embroidered shirt and holds a national flag in his hand.

Kyiv-Pechersk Preserve continued its usual work at that time. Guide tours were conducted, scientific papers were written, new exhibitions were composed. It was then, when exhibition “Religion in the History of Culture” finally opened in the building № 45 situated in the territory of the Near-by Caves. The exposition told about the origin and development of religious beliefs. It also gave visitors the opportunity to improve their knowledge about major world religions. The exposition was located on the 2nd floor and consisted of 4 halls. The first was dedicated to the period of primitive society and antiquity. The second was about the world Orthodox religion, the third - about Catholicism, Judaism and Buddhism, and the fourth - about Orthodox traditions in Ukraine. Unfortunately, the exhibition did not last long. Much longer was its preparation, which was rather costly and requested a lot of creative effort.

At the turn of the 1980s and 1990s, after lengthy restoration works, the Preserve got the Church of St. Theodosy in its possession, which was located across Lavra. The fact to note is that large modules of the Motherland monument were welded right here, in this church. Few people know about that. It was planned that the church premises would be used as exhibition halls after their restoration. Its original interior was destroyed in autumn, 1941 as a result of Soviet sabotage. Together with Kyiv metropolitan town, the staff of the Preserve composed the exhibition named “Church Art of the 17th-20th centuries”. The exposition gave the opportunity to observe church icons (meant to be used for the iconostasis of one of the restored churches) and a сhurchware from museum funds. The icons having been handed over to the church, re-exposition was held and exhibition named “Ukrainian Baroque style of the 17th-19th centuries” was opened.

The revived Kyiv-Pechersk monastery gradually improved its life: cell and housekeeping buildings were repaired, churches were restored. Worship services were often held in the open air so that crowds of pilgrims were not forced to up in the small churches. In particular, the service was held under the arcade of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, located in the Far-off Caves. At the same time, the inhabitant of Pechersk Monastery, Damian (Davydov), now Archbishop of Fastiv, began restoring the necropolis of the Nativity of the Virgin Bastion. Thanks to Lyudmyla Protsenko, the well-known researcher of Kyiv necropolises, and financial support of Ukrainian business men, the researchers could reconstruct the nameplates on the preserved tombstones. Besides, several new tombstones were also constructed.

The next release of “Memories of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” photo project will be dedicated to the events of 1992.

Captions to the illustrations:

1. Demonstration in support of Ukraine’s independence. In the center, in the embroidered shirt - K. Khomenko, a scientist of the Preserve.

2-5. Exhibition “Religion in the History of Culture” (opened in 1991, in building
№ 45 located in the territory of the Near-by Caves). Photo № 2 - Zeus mask (“Antiquity” hall). Photo № 3 - Hall of Catholicism. Photo № 4 - “Buddhism” showcase. Photo № 5 - scientist K. Khomenko in “Orthodox church in Ukraine” hall.

6. “Church Art of the 17th-20th centuries” exhibition in the Church of St. Theodosius.

7-8. “Ukrainian Baroque style of the 17th-19th centuries” exhibition.

9. Renovation of the house of the Far-off Caves keeper (at present used as the chancellery of Kyiv metropolitanate).

10. Restoration of the Church of the Conception of St. Anna.

11-12. Worship under the arcade of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin. Photo № 11 shows Archimandrite Sophronius, standing by the lectern. Photo № 12 depicts the believers during the service, near the arcade

13. Сross procession. In front, there is  Hieromonk Nikon with the relics in his hands. On the left, one can see Hieromonk Theodosius holding the icon. Behind - Archimandrite Eleutherius, the governor of the Monastery, with the Gospel in his hands.

14. Restored tombstones on the grave of Senator Andriy Serhiyovych Ilyashenko
(† October 25, 1885) and his wife Varvara Stepanivna.

15-16. Prayers over the grave of Field Marshal Fabien Austen-Saken. Photo № 15 shows Hieromonk Damian, the initiator of the restoration of the cemetery.