Artistic Heritage of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Phaelonion “Equal to the Apostles Prince Volodymyr and Princess Olga with Princes Borys and Hlib standing by their sides”(1746)

In commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the National Preserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra”

Dear friends!

Today’s release of our “Artistic Heritage” column is dedicated to the phaelonion - a liturgical attire worn by Orthodox priests.

The quilted composition “Equal to the Apostles Prince Volodymyr and Princess Olga with Princes Borys and Hlib standing by their sides” that you are able to observe, was created in 1746. It is part of the Fund collection of the National Preserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” (KPL-T-230, 132.7 × 158.2 cm).

Sewn from the yellow velvet, this phaelonion comes from the sacristy of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. Its shoulder is made of a brown velvet, and is decorated with embroidered compositions, which are thematically related to Сhristianization of Kyivan Rus and veneration of Kyiv shrines. In the center of the phaelonion, there are the images of Prince Volodymyr and Princess Olga. They sit on the thrones and wear luxuriant royal outfits. To the right and left of two central figures there are Martyrs, Princes Borys and Hlib. They keep palm branches - a symbol of martyrdom, in their hands. The composition is crowned with a cloud segment with a knee-high image of the God of Sabaoth (God of Hosts) that gives blessing. On both sides of the shoulder there are two exquisite ornamental cartouches. The scene of the Christianization of the Kyivan Rus is in the left cartouche, while the tomb of the Great Martyr Barbara is in the right one. St. Barbara’s image belonged to the Kyiv St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery. The lower edge of the shoulder is decorated with a wide strip of floral ornament. It is formed by the interweaving of two wavy branches of stylized flowers.

The art object is embroidered with gold and silver threads. Underneath is the leather lining. To depict the clouds, the master used multicolored filigree technique (so-called «skan’»), where silk and silver threads are interwoven. The face and hands are done with oil paints, the haloes are adorned with pearls, and the images of Vladymyr and Olga are decorated with colorful stones in settings. In the free background of the shoulder one can observe stars and heart-shaped cartouches, which had once been filled with the picturesque inserts and inscriptions. Today the cartouches are empty as their decorative elements were lost. According to the archival materials, four lower cartouches contained the data about the completion of the phaelonion - March 23, 1746 and the name of the donator - Helena De Jeanti, hegumenia of the Kyiv-Flor’s Ascension Convent (1741-1752). During her dignity of a hegumen, a number of highly artistic embroidered works were performed in the workshops of the Convent. They were characterized by specially designed complex compositions and extremely high level of technique of stitching (based on a solid lining of cardboard or leather). The embroidered art works were also known for their specific stem-form and rose-motif ornaments as well as multicolored filigree threads used to embroid clouds on the fabriс.

Caption to the illustration:

1. Phaelonion “Equal to the Apostles Prince Volodymyr and Princess Olga with Princes Borys and Hlib standing by their sides”, 1746. Workshops of Kyiv-Flor Ascension Сonvent (KPL-T-230).

Prepared by Alina Varivoda, PhD

Leading Research Associate

Research Division of Studying Artistic Heritage