Did you know that Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery was the place of regular conflicts with Cossacks that had the habit of stealing wood?

One such case occurred in 1769, when the Governor of Vasylkiv complained to the Lavra Spiritual Council about the Cossacks of the Mryn sotnia (Cossack squadron) of the Kyiv Regiment, who served in the Vasylkiv reserve military unit. According to the Governor, they regularly overrun the Monastery’s beehives to steal wood supplies. What is more, the person, who induced them to do so, was Isidor Zhuravsky, commander of the Mryn sotnia. He did it for two reasons: to make his soldiers’ life easier during the winter season and to save money for fuel. The only person who dared to resist Cossacks’ illegal activities was monk Non, Lavra’s beekeeper, but he did not succeed, because the Cossacks beat him, “rolled” him in the snow, and laughed at him.

Captions to the illustrations:

1. Kyiv forests on the map of the 17^th century.

2. The lumberman. Engraving made by Vatslav Hollar, 1664

Anna Filipova