Curious facts about Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Did you know that:

108 years ago, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra took part in the exhibition of horticulture and gardening that was held in Kyiv. Its participation was recognized as triumphant.

The event was сonducted between September 25 and October 2, 1912 at the address: Khreschatyk, 43. It was organized by the Kyiv branch of the Imperial Russian Horticultural Society. The largest Kyiv gardening firms founded by W. Krister and V. Weidinger presented their production at the exhibition.

The exposition of Krister’s firm included 103 varieties of apples and 26 varieties of pears while Lavra’s display featured 50 varieties of apples and 102 varieties of pears. Among horticultural crops of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra there were very rare fruit specimen characterized by unsual form and development. Thus, it is quite natural that Lavra, compared to the above-mentioned gardening companies, received the Grand Gold Medal - the highest award for the exhibition collection.

This same medal was given to Hieromonk Joseph (1861–1916), the head of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra gardens, for his personal contribution in the development of the Monastery’s gardening facilities. He was in charge of 11 gardens. The largest among them, named after different Kyiv localities, were Pecherny, Sambursky, Velyko-Horikhovatsky, Novopasichny, and Kytaivsky Gardens.

Captions to the illustrations:

1. The news about the Grand Gold Medal that Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra got on
March 19, 1913.

2. The Grand Silver Medal “For the Works in Orcharding” issued by the Imperial Russian Horticultural Society was very similar to the Grand Gold Medal.

3. General plan of the part of Zvirynets suburb with the indication of the territory of Lavra’s Pecherny (above the Caves) Garden. 1890