Nearby caves of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra: description, history and interesting facts. Guardian of Piety
The Kiev Pechersk Lavra has at all times been the guardian of the high monastic spirit and Orthodox piety. And it is the Lavra that stands at the origins of Russian monasticism. Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) of Boryspil and Brovary, manager of the affairs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, talks about the past and present of the illustrious monastery, about centuries of prosperity and difficult decades of persecution of atheists, about saints, ascetics and educators associated with the Lavra.
- Your Eminence, by whom and when was the Lavra founded?
It was founded in 1051 under the Kiev prince Yaroslav the Wise. Its basis was a cave not far from the village of Berestova, which was dug by Metropolitan Hilarion and subsequently became the refuge of St. Anthony. Before this, Saint Anthony labored for several years on Mount Athos, where he took monastic vows. Having returned to Rus' with the blessing of his confessor, he came to Kyiv, and soon the fame of his prayerful exploits became widely known. Over time, disciples began to gather around Anthony. When the number of brethren reached twelve, Anthony made Varlaam their abbot, and in 1062 he himself moved to a nearby hill, where he dug a cave. This is how caves arose, called Near and Far. After the transfer of the Monk Varlaam as abbot to the St. Demetrius Monastery, Anthony blesses the Monk Theodosius to become hegumen. By this time there were already about a hundred monks in the monastery.
Upon completion of the construction of the Assumption Cathedral in the mid-70s of the 11th century, the center of the Pechersky Monastery shifted to the territory of the current Upper Lavra. Only a small part of the monks remained in the “dilapidated” monastery. The Near and Far Caves became a place of solitude for ascetics and a burial place for dead brethren. The first burial in the Near Caves was that of St. Anthony in 1073, and in the Far Caves - St. Theodosius in 1074.
The abbot of the Athos monastery admonished St. Anthony: “May the blessing of Holy Mount Athos be upon you, many monks will come from you.”
Undoubtedly, there is a deep spiritual connection between the Kiev-Pechersk monastery. Thanks to St. Anthony, the tradition of monasticism was brought to Rus' from Athos. According to legend, the abbot of the Athos monastery admonished St. Anthony with these words: “May the blessing of Holy Mount Athos be upon you, many monks will come from you.” Therefore, it is no coincidence that the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, at the dawn of its formation, began to be called “the third Lot of the Mother of God” and “Russian Athos”.
Last year we celebrated the 1000th anniversary of the writing of The Tale of Bygone Years, created within the walls of the monastery. It was in the Lavra that the great Russian culture was born, the basis of which was church literature, architecture and icon painting. Please tell us more about this side of the life of the monastery.
It was from the walls of the Pechersk Monastery that the first Russian theologians, hagiographers, icon painters, hymnographers, and book publishers emerged. The beginnings were born here ancient Russian literature, fine arts, jurisprudence, medicine, pedagogy, charity.
The Kiev Pechersk Lavra has at all times equally succeeded in educational, missionary, charitable and social activities. Especially in ancient period of its existence, it was a true Christian educational center, a treasury of national culture. But, first of all, the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra was a school of piety, spreading from it throughout Rus' and beyond its borders.
After the destruction of Kyiv by Batu in 1240, difficult times came in the life of the Orthodox Church in South-West Rus'. How did the inhabitants of the monastery perform their service then?
The history of the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery was part of the history of the state. Disasters and unrest did not bypass the quiet monastery, which always responded to them with a mission of peacemaking and mercy. Starting from the 40s of the 13th century and until the beginning of the 15th century, the Pechersk monastery, together with the people, suffered many disasters from the Tatar-Mongol raids. Having been devastated more than once during enemy raids, the monastery was surrounded by defensive walls back in the 12th century, which, however, did not save it from devastation in 1240, when Kyiv was captured by Batu. The Mongol-Tatars destroyed the monastery stone fence, robbed and damaged the Great Assumption Church. But this difficult time Pechersk monks did not leave their monastery. And those who were forced to leave the monastery set up monasteries in other parts of Rus'. This is how the Pochaev and Svyatogorsk Lavras and some other monasteries arose.
Information about the monastery dating back to this time is rather scarce. It is only known that the Lavra caves again became a habitat for monks for a long time, as well as a burial place for the defenders of Kyiv. In the Near Caves there are large niches filled with human bones, which are believed to be such burials. In difficult times, the monks of the Pechersk Monastery provided all possible assistance to the residents of Kyiv, fed the hungry from the monastery’s reserves, received the disadvantaged, treated the sick, and provided care to all those in need.
- What was the role of the Lavra in the “defense” of the western borders of Russian Orthodoxy?
In the middle of the 14th century, Lithuanian expansion began in most of the territory of modern Ukraine. However, despite the fact that the Lithuanian prince Olgerd, to whom they obeyed Kyiv lands, initially professed the pagan faith, and then, after the adoption of the Krevo Union between Lithuania and Poland, the intensive inculcation of Catholicism began, the Pechersk monastery lived a full life during this period.
At the end of the 16th - beginning of the 17th centuries, the monastery was the center of confrontation between the Catholic Union and the Orthodox Church, which ultimately defended it. Some inhabitants of the Pechersk monastery fled from the oppression of Catholics and founded new monasteries. For example, Stefan Makhrishchsky fled to Moscow and subsequently founded the Stefano-Makhrishchsky and Avnezhsky monasteries.
The Lavra printing house played a significant role in the fight against the imposition of Catholicism and union.
In the fight against the imposition of Catholicism and the Union, the Lavra printing house, which was founded in 1615, played a significant role. Grouped around her were prominent public figures, writers, scientists and engravers. Among them are Archimandrites Nikifor (Tours), Elisha (Pletenetsky), Pamva (Berynda), Zechariah (Kopystensky), Job (Boretsky), Peter (Grave), Afanasy (Kalnofoysky), Innocent (Gisel) and many others. The beginning of book printing in Kyiv is associated with the name of Elisha (Pletenetsky). The first book printed in the printing house of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra that has survived to this day is the Book of Hours (1616-1617). Until the middle of the 18th century, the Lavra printing house had practically no competitors.
Important place in the history of the monastery of this period is occupied by the archimandrite, and subsequently by the Kiev Metropolitan Peter (Mogila). One of the main areas of his activity was concern for education. In 1631, the saint founded a gymnasium in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, in which, along with theology, secular subjects were also studied: grammar, rhetoric, geometry, arithmetic and many others. In 1632, to train the Orthodox clergy and secular elite in Ukraine, the gymnasium was merged with the Brotherhood School in Podol. The first higher education was created educational institution in Ukraine - the Kiev-Mohyla Collegium, which was later transformed into the Kyiv Theological Academy.
After the conclusion of the Treaty of Pereyaslavl, the Lavra was given charters, funds, lands and estates
- How did the life of the Lavra change after coming under the patronage of the Moscow sovereigns?
After the conclusion of the Pereyaslav Treaty of 1654 and the reunification of Ukraine with Russia, the tsarist government provided the largest Ukrainian monasteries, in particular the Lavra, with charters, funds, lands and estates. The Lavra became the “royal and patriarchal stavropegion of Moscow.” For almost 100 years (1688-1786), the archimandrite of the Lavra was given primacy over all Russian metropolitans. In addition, at the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th centuries, the Lavra's economy reached its greatest size. In the 17th century, large repair, restoration and construction work. The architectural ensemble was replenished with stone churches: St. Nicholas in the Hospital Monastery; Annozachatievskaya, Nativity of the Virgin and Holy Cross churches appeared above the caves. The social and charitable activities of the monastery were also very active during this period.
The Lavra necropolis is one of the largest Christian necropolises in Europe. What historical and public figures are buried in the Lavra?
Indeed, a unique necropolis has developed in the Lavra. The oldest parts of it began to form in the second half of the 11th century. The first documented burial in the Great Church was the burial of the son of the Varangian prince Shimon (baptized Simon). In the land of the holy monastery, in its churches and caves, outstanding hierarchs, church and government figures rest. For example, the first Metropolitan of Kiev Michael, Prince Theodore of Ostrog, Archimandrites Elisha (Pletenetsky), Innocent (Gisel) are buried here. Near the walls of the Dormition Cathedral of the Lavra there was the grave of Natalia Dolgorukova (in monastic life - Nektaria), who died in 1771, the daughter of Peter the Great's associate, Field Marshal B.P. Dolgorukova. To this selfless and beautiful woman famous poets They dedicated poems, there were legends about her. She was a generous benefactor of the Lavra. Also, the outstanding military leader Pyotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky is buried here. He himself bequeathed to be buried in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, which was done in the choir of the cathedral of the Assumption Church. An outstanding church figure, Metropolitan Flavian (Gorodetsky), who played a significant role in the life of the Lavra, is buried in the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross. In 1911, the land of the monastery received the remains of the outstanding statesman Pyotr Arkadyevich Stolypin. It is very symbolic that next to the Lavra, in the Church of the Savior on Berestovo (this ancient city, which was the summer residence of the Kyiv princes), the founder of Moscow, Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, is buried.
Please tell us about the period of Soviet ruin. What was the fate of the Lavra in godless times? When did its revival begin after the atheistic period?
During its almost thousand-year existence, the Pechersk monastery has experienced more than one persecution, but none of them can be compared in severity to the persecution of the militant atheists - the Soviet regime. Along with persecution for the faith, famine, typhus and ruin hit the Lavra, after which the liquidation of the monastery followed. The murder of monks and clergy in those terrible times became almost commonplace. In 1924, Archimandrite Nikolai (Drobyazgin) was killed in his cell. Some monks of the Lavra and its monasteries were shot without trial or investigation. Soon many of the brethren were arrested and exiled. The big trial of Bishop Alexy (Gotovtsev) was staged. One of the most tragic events in Lavra life was the murder of Metropolitan Vladimir (Epiphany).
In the early 1920s, thanks to the enthusiasm of representatives of the creative intelligentsia, the Museum of Cults and Life was organized to prevent the destruction of the spiritual and artistic values of the monastery. During the years of militant atheism, a museum town was created in the Lavra and a number of museums and exhibitions were opened. In 1926, the Kiev Pechersk Lavra was recognized as a historical and cultural state reserve. However, at the beginning of 1930 the monastery was closed. In the same year, the Vladimir and St. Sophia Cathedrals, which became branches of the reserve, were closed. During World War II, the Germans began to loot and export to Germany the most valuable museum treasures, including those from the collection of the Kiev-Pechersk Nature Reserve. On November 3, 1941, the Assumption Cathedral was blown up.
The revival of the monastery began in the late 1980s. In commemoration of the 1000th anniversary of Epiphany Kievan Rus The government of the Ukrainian SSR decided to transfer the lower territory of the Kiev-Pechersk State Historical and Cultural Reserve to the Ukrainian Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church. In 1988, the territory of the current Far Caves was transferred. The resumption of activity of the Orthodox monastery on the territory of the Far Caves was even marked by a miracle of God - three myrrh-streaming heads began to exude myrrh.
Today, the monastery is located on the lower territory of the Lavra, and we hope that the state will continue to facilitate the return of the shrine to its original owner.
Which narrative from the Kiev-Pechersk Patericon is your favorite? Do miracles happen in the Lavra in our time?
The collection of stories about the founding of the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery and the lives of its first inhabitants is undoubtedly a treasure trove, a spiritual treasury for every Orthodox Christian. This edifying reading made an indelible impression on me in my youth and is still a reference book. It is difficult to single out any particular plot. All the personalities of the spirit-bearers, the miracles and events of their lives are equally edifying and interesting. I remember how I was struck by the miracle of St. Alypius, the icon painter, who healed a leper by covering his wounds with the paints he used to paint icons.
Miracles still happen in the Lavra to this day.
To this day, miracles still happen in the Lavra. There are known cases of healing from cancer after prayers at the relics of saints. There was a case when, after praying at the icon of the Mother of God “The Tsaritsa of All,” a pilgrim was healed of blindness, which was even reported by the media. But it is important to remember that miracles do not happen automatically. The main thing is sincere prayer and strong faith with which a person comes to the shrine.
Which of the saints glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church studied or taught at the Kyiv Theological Academy?
Among the graduates of the Kyiv Theological Academy are such outstanding saints as (Tuptalo), Theodosius of Chernigov (Uglitsky), Pavel and Philotheus of Tobolsk, Innocent of Kherson (Borisov). Saint Joasaph of Belgorod (Gorlenko), upon completion of his studies, was tonsured into the mantle at the Kiev-Brotherly Monastery and accepted as one of the teachers of the academy. Also St. Theophan the Recluse (Govorov), St. Paisiy Velichkovsky and Hieromartyr Vladimir (Epiphany) studied here. The Cathedral of Saints of the KDA includes 48 names, more than half of which are new martyrs and confessors of the 20th century.
Address: Ukraine, Kyiv
Date of foundation: 1051
Main attractions: Assumption Cathedral, Church of the Nativity Holy Mother of God, Temple of the Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow", Church of All Saints, Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, Warm Church in honor of all the Venerable Fathers of Pechersk, Temple in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God "Life-Giving Spring", Refectory Church, Near Caves, Far Caves
Coordinates: 50°26"06.3"N 30°33"24.0"E
The Kiev Pechersk Lavra is the center of Christianity and a shrine for the believing people. This place has a long history and is famous for its temples and beautiful places.
Today the ensemble of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra consists of more than one hundred stone structures, about twenty churches and more than 40 architectural monuments.
View of the upper Lavra
History of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra
On the right bank of the Dnieper, the unsurpassed Kiev-Pechersk Lavra flaunts from afar, in the Pechersky district of the city of Kyiv, which is the oldest district of the capital. The name of the area is due to the fact that the first monks once lived here in caves (Ukrainian - “pechera”). The monastery was founded, according to historical data, in the 11th century. But the Pechersk Monastery received the name “Lavra” in the 12th century. The monastery, around the second half of the 11th century, became the largest architectural center in Kievan Rus. Tiling and mosaic workshops were located here. 100 years later, namely at the end of the 12th century, defensive ramparts and fortification ramparts with towers and loopholes were erected around the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
General view of the Lavra
During the same period, the Trinity Gate Church was built on the territory of the monastery, which is one of 6 monuments of princely times that has survived to this day. The Kiev Pechersk Lavra survived Tatar-Mongol invasions, the years of the Second World War, as well as the most difficult periods of Lithuanian and Polish rule. However, despite the destruction and damage, the monastery survived and today is a historical and cultural reserve with an area of 28 hectares, where the relics of more than 400 saints are kept. Among the saints there are many famous architects, doctors, writers, and artists of Kievan Rus. For example, the relics of Nestor the chronicler - historiographer, author of "The Tale of Past Years" - are kept here. This is the only place in the world where so many shrines are kept.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Churches and temples of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra
Huge historical significance has the National Reserve of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, where there are about twenty churches, different sizes and age, differing in interiors and styles. The most famous are the Trinity Church, the Assumption Cathedral, which adorns Cathedral Square, and the Refectory Church. Also of interest is the main Lavra Bell Tower, from where the whole of Kyiv is visible at a glance. The Trinity Gate Church is located above the entrance to the Holy Lavra. There is a belief that in order to be cleansed from sins, you need to go through the gates of the church twice. The church was built at the beginning of the twelfth century. Even though the church small size, on its walls there are 120 biblical compositions.
Refectory Church of Saints Anthony and Theodosius
The architecture of the church is represented by multi-profile cornices, pilasters, and ceramic rosettes. And, of course, the beautiful blue dome of the church with golden stars is amazing. On the main cathedral square of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra stands the Assumption Cathedral, the construction of which dates back to the 11th century. Of course, at that time he looked completely different from what he looks like today. Then it was rectangular one-story building with one dome. The Moscow architect Vasiliev, after a fire in the 18th century, united all the buildings of the cathedral under one roof. The temple becomes a square, two-story building with seven gilded domes. The Assumption Cathedral contains up to three hundred burials of church and famous historical figures.
Trinity Gate Church
The Assumption Cathedral was the center of the entire great architectural composition of the Lavra, however, in early November 1941, when German generals and Slovak President Josef Tiso visited the Lavra, the temple was blown up and the cathedral was destroyed. In November 1998, based on available archival data, its reconstruction began, with funds raised by residents of the city of Kyiv, which was completed in 2000. Thus, today the Assumption Cathedral repeats an exact copy of the cathedral of the 11th century.
This cathedral is famous for its altar, with an absolutely wonderful iconostasis, 25 meters long and 22.5 meters high. There are several world-famous temple icons here, namely the icons of the Mother of God, Jesus Christ, and the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are about 69 icons in total.
Great Lavra Bell Tower
On Cathedral Square there are also other very interesting buildings. Here is the residence of the metropolitans who lived here until 1918 and the Church of the Annunciation. Now the residence building houses a museum dedicated to Ukrainian decorative and applied arts.
Next to the metropolitans' chambers there is a small building consisting of 2 floors. Previously, there was a refectory on this site, built at the end of the 19th century in the ecliptic style. Not far from the refectory, the Refectory Church was built, which today is not only a museum, but also a functioning church. This church is considered one of the latest buildings and is a large octagon-shaped room. The temple contains a very beautiful marble iconostasis and an icon of Anthony Theodosius of Pechersk.
All Saints Church
Another unique place national reserve The main Lavra bell tower is considered, the construction of which lasted from 1731 to 1745. The height of the bell tower is about 96 meters, the depth of the granite foundation is approximately eight meters, the thickness of the walls is seven meters, and the diameter is about 29 meters. The bell tower consists of four tiers, decorated in their own way. The huge dome of the bell tower has an area of more than five hundred square meters, and the construction is completed by a cross, the height of which is four and a half meters. In December 1903, a chiming clock was installed on the fourth tier of the bell tower, weighing 4.5 tons. The second tier housed the public library. The bell tower at one time was the tallest building in the city of Kyiv. From here you can really enjoy the view of part of the city, located on the left bank and, of course, the entire Lavra.
Church of the Savior on Berestov
Caves of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra
The man-made caves: Near and Far are considered a unique phenomenon of the reserve. This is the main attraction where the relics of the Lavra saints rest. In front of the entrance to the caves there is the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, which has retained its original appearance to this day. Six small underground churches have been preserved in the caves of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The total length of the caves and underground labyrinths is more than 500 m, the height is two meters, the width is more than one meter, and the depth at which they are located is from five to twenty meters. In the eighteenth century, the caves were fortified against collapses and were painted. There are iconostases made of gilded copper, and holy relics are kept in the tombs.
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Ukraine) - description, history, location. Exact address, phone number, website. Tourist reviews, photos and videos.
- Tours for May all over the world
- Last minute tours all over the world
Previous photo Next photo
The Kiev Pechersk Lavra is the oldest and one of the main Orthodox shrines, a unique monastic complex, which has no analogues in the world. This is the first monastery on the territory of Kievan Rus; temples erected in the 11th century have been preserved here in almost their original form.
In fact, the Kiev Pechersk Lavra is a real town in the heart of Kyiv, there are fourteen Orthodox churches, a monastery, seven museums, one of the first printing houses in Rus', etc. Lavra is translated from Greek as “street”; not all monasteries were given this name, and it spoke of their scale and enormous importance.
Gradually, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the monastic cells formed a monastery. In 1688, the monastery acquired the status of a lavra, that is, a populous, important monastery, under the direct supervision of the Holy Synod. The governors of the Lavra receive the rank of archimandrite.
For many centuries, the laurel was subjected to raids and attacks, it was destroyed several times, but it was restored again and again. She was robbed by the Polovtsians, Turks, Crimean Tatars, and the fire of 1718 destroyed the monastery library and many documents.
The main value of the Lavra is the relics of the venerable fathers and selected laymen - for example, here since the 14th century. there is a tomb of many princely and noble families, as well as the grave of Pyotr Arkadyevich Stolypin. Famous and very ancient miraculous icons are often brought here - for example, the icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
In Soviet times, the All-Ukrainian Museum Town was organized on the territory of the Lavra: the State Historical Library of Ukraine was located here (located here to this day), as well as the Book Museum, the Museum of Historical Treasures, etc. Considerable damage was caused to the Great Patriotic Lavra, the Assumption Cathedral was blown up, The monastery's treasuries were looted. However, for the celebration of the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus' and subsequent years, much was restored and recreated.
Today the Lavra is divided into Upper and Lower, the latter includes the ground-based historical and cultural complex, and the Lower Lavra is a currently operating monastery and the caves themselves, which, in turn, are also distinguished into Near ( total length 313 meters) and Far (293 meters). In general, according to some information, these caves are more extensive and have an extensive system underground passages, which lie under the waters of the Dnieper and even connect the monastery with the monasteries of nearby cities.
Lavra caves
But the most valuable treasures of the monastery are located underground, at a depth of five to fifteen meters, where the founder of the monastery, Monk Anthony, settled almost a thousand years ago. The underground caves house cells where the monks spent their lives praying for ordinary people, and also the relics of saints rest. Among them, especially noteworthy are the three myrrh-streaming chapters, the myrrh (or oil) of which has healing properties and helps everyone who comes to the Lavra with faith.
It is noteworthy that when, from 1917 to 1988, the Soviet authorities turned the monastery into a museum, these chapters stopped streaming myrrh, but as soon as the monastery began to function again, the chapters began to stream myrrh again. Also on the territory of the monastery are the graves of many legendary personalities, for example, Ilya Muromets, Nestor the Chronicler and even Pyotr Stolypin.
History and features
All temples were built with funds Kyiv princes, who often visited the Lavra, and some of them even became monks, such as the Prince of Chernigov Svyatoslav Davydovich, who later became the monk Saint. Such monarchs as Peter the Great, Catherine the Second, Nicholas the Second and others came here for blessings. It was here that the main chronicle of Kievan Rus was created - “The Tale of Bygone Years”.
Panorama of the Lavra
Life of the Lavra today
Today the monastery occupies an area of about thirty hectares; it acquired its modern appearance only at the end of the 18th century, when the monastery was restored after a severe fire, it was then that the stone wall, and the main Holy Assumption Cathedral acquired new facade V best traditions Ukrainian Baroque.
The Kiev Pechersk Lavra is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Historical Heritage List. You can get here every day from 9:30 to 18:00; the entrance ticket to the caves costs about 60 rubles (June 2012).
Today we will talk about the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. What does “Monasteries of Russia” have to do with it, you say? Despite the fact that today Ukraine is an independent state, the borders of Holy Rus' are still the same, and it is simply impossible not to talk about the Kiev Pechersk Lavra.
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is the first one mentioned in "". “The Tale of Bygone Years” is the first Russian chronicle, the author of which is the chronicler Nestor. In his work, Nestor described not only the history of Rus', but also the history of the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church. The chronicler Nestor tells that Jesus Christ had a disciple of John the Baptist - Apostle Andrew. When Jesus Christ was crucified, Andrei decided to become a wanderer and bring the word of God to people.
They say that Andrei reached the Black Sea, then came to Kherson, from where he went up the Dnieper River. Andrei sailed along the Dnieper with people who shared his fate. Sailing past the place where the city of Kyiv will arise, Andrei said: “Do you see these mountains? Here is the grace of God, here will be Great city, with many churches." In 1086, the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called was built in the city of Kyiv.
He further describes that around the same years, near Kyiv, in a small cave dug with his own hands, the monk Anthony settled, who came to these places from a monastery on Mount Athos. A little time passed, and the monk’s fame spread to many neighboring settlements. Soon monk Anthony was joined by more people who took monastic vows. Near Anthony's cave, they dug cells for themselves, which were connected to each other by corridors.
Together, the monks dug themselves something like a temple in which they performed prayers. Ten years have passed. Monk Anthony sought solitude for himself, and eventually moved to another hill, where he again dug himself a cell. The first monastic caves began to be called distant caves, and later received the name near caves. The number of monks living with Anthony grew steadily. One day, Prince of Kiev Izyaslav Yaroslavich granted the monks the entire mountain in which they built cells.
A temple was built on the top of the mountain, which was called Pechersky. This temple laid the foundation for the monastery, whose name is known to all Orthodox today - the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. After the construction of the temple, caves began to play a lesser role in the life of the monks. Basically, they buried the brothers of the monastery who had completed their life path on the ground. They made depressions in the walls up to two meters where they buried the brothers. The entrance was either walled up or closed wooden shield. This went on for many years.
On the mountain, on fresh air the new monastery grew and strengthened. And in the ground, in the caves, the number of buried deceased monks of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra grew. In one of the caves of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, the remains of the hero of the Russian land, the Russian hero Ilya Muromets are buried. Above the remains of the hero hangs an icon with his image. At the head of Ilya Muromets there is an inscription: “Ilya from.”
At the end of his earthly journey, Ilya Muromets became a monk of the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, and in 1203 he died during the defense of the city from the Polovtsian hordes. The chronicle regarding the death of Ilya Muromets is silent, but historians believe that this is exactly what happened.
They say that the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery began to be called the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra precisely during the time of Ilya Muromets. IN Greek There is a word “lavra”, in Russian this word is translated as street. The Kiev Pechersky Monastery resembled a large settlement, similar to a street. Since then, it began to be called the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
During life epic hero Its main attractions were built in the Lavra - the majestic stone Assumption Cathedral and the Trinity Gate Church. In the 18th century, in 1718, a strong fire occurred in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, destroying many of the monastery buildings. The attack did not spare the stone Assumption Cathedral, which eventually had to be rebuilt. After restoration, the stone Assumption Cathedral of the Lavra increased significantly in size and became 7-domed.
In the 18th century, the Kiev Pechersk Lavra was the largest center Orthodox culture. The area of the monastery reached 30 hectares, the number of churches located on the territory of the monastery reached 23 hectares. To date, more than one and a half hundred monks of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra have been canonized. Orthodox Church. Largely thanks to the Lavra, Kyiv was often called the new Russian Orthodox Jerusalem.
The 20th century brought the Russian people a lot of grief, suffering and disappointment. The Kiev-Pechersk Lavra did not escape troubles; in the 20s it was closed. During this time, the German occupiers blew up the stone Assumption Cathedral. The monastery did not work, but after a long break, in 1988, in cave temple Feodosia took place church service, which was timed to coincide with the 1000th anniversary of the baptism of Rus'.
After the fall of Soviet power, the Kiev Pechersk Lavra resumed its work. Today, any Orthodox pilgrim can enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, which played a large role in the development of Russian history and Orthodoxy in Rus'.
The Kiev Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv is not just a landmark visited by guests of the capital, tourists, and Kiev residents. This is a must visit place ( compulsory visit), where every person must go once in his life.
The special atmosphere of the Lavra, the history of its shrines, the secrets of the caves make you think about life, think about the most important and secret things. A walk through the monastery, an overview of the surroundings of Kyiv and the Dnieper from the Lavra hills will not leave anyone indifferent to the architecture and picturesqueness of this place.
History of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra
The status of “lavra” is assigned to large male monasteries, which is the Kiev Pechersk shrine. It began its existence in the mid-11th century, when the name Pechersky Monastery began to appear in chronicles. Lavra status was awarded only in 1688.
In 1073, a stone one was erected in place of the wooden temple, which stood for only five years. The Polovtsian horde attacked Kyiv and destroyed many of its shrines, including the Pechersky Monastery. Only by the beginning of the 12th century. the monastery was able to recover, but during the 12-13th centuries. several times became the object of robberies of nomadic peoples. The attack on Kyiv in 1240 caused enormous damage to the Kiev Pechersk Monastery and the monks, some of whom were killed, while others simply fled.
The revival of the monastery began in 1470, when it was completely rebuilt. Raids occurred, but the temples and cells of the holy place did not suffer much. At the beginning of the 18th century. Part of the library, monastery, and residential buildings were destroyed by fire, but the church itself survived.
20th century became one of the most difficult in history for the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The Bolsheviks tried to destroy him, but they were dissuaded from this idea. The occupation of Kyiv in 1941 by German troops was also a tragedy for the monks of the monastery. A police station was set up here, the Assumption Cathedral was blown up, from where all valuables and jewelry had previously been removed. After Ukraine gained independence, renovation of the monastery began. In particular, the Lavra lithograph was restored, the cells were updated, the church was restored, the Assumption Cathedral was restored according to ancient drawings and diagrams.
Shrines of the Lavra
- The monastery is known for its underground world, which is divided into Near (Antoniev) and Far Caves. They contain the incorruptible relics of 79 saints (in the Near Caves) and 49 saints in the Far Caves. In the Anthony Caves there are ancient burials, among which the relics of St. Anthony occupy a place of honor. In the underground world there are three streets, a cave church, and a refectory. Theodosius is buried in the Far Caves, there is a church named after the saint, his cell and several underground temples.
- The Icon of the Mother of God “The Queen of All” is considered miraculous. In 2010, one of the parishioners received her sight while bending towards the image.
- The image of the Mother of God “Pechersk Praise” heals from ailments.
- Myrrh-streaming heads are relics of the Lavra, which became the heads of saints. The monks keep them for centuries in vessels with a special solution. When the chapters dry out, they begin to bleed myrrh.
Lavra infrastructure
There are various buildings and structures on the territory of the monastery. These are bell towers, churches, towers and temples. In particular, the Assumption Cathedral and the bell tower are located in the Near Caves, and the bell tower and the Refectory Church of Saints Anthony and Theodosius in the Far Caves. In the Lavra complex there are monks' cells, the abbot's residence, a seminary, and hospital wards.
How to get there
The Kiev Pechersk Lavra is located on Lavrskaya Street 23.
You can get here by metro, getting off at Arsenalnaya station. Then you can go through the underground passage to the bus and trolleybus stop. Bus No. 24 and trolleybus No. 38 go to the Lavra. Get off at the stop " National Museum Great Patriotic War" Then walk along Lavrskaya Street to the gate, which will then lead out to Bliznepecherskaya Street, or walk a little further - to the Holy Gates (main entrance).
You can walk straight from Arsenalnaya all the time, and in 15 minutes you will see the monastery.