Kyiv pechersk (pechera) lavra monastery

The Kyiv Pechersk (Pechera) Lavra Monastery is one of the oldest & the most valuable treasures inherited from Kyiv Rus. It has always been revered worldwide as the most sacred place of Orthodoxy – the cloister that the Blessed Virgin chose for her abode.

Pechersk stands for “pechera” in Old Slavonic language, meaning a “cave”. Caves are to be found in its territory where early monks lived in, using them for cells. The word “lavra” is used for monasteries of high rank in Orthodox Church. Christian monasteries are also called – abbey, priory, charterhouse, friary and preceptory, while the habitation of nuns is also called a convent. The word “monastery” comes from Greek “monasterion” from the root “mono” – one, alone (originally all Christian monks were hermits).

The Pechersk Lavra Monastery came into being in the 11^th century, and according to the chronicles, was founded by the monk Antony and his follower Theodosius in 1051. For nine centuries its territory was expanding with new buildings being added to it through the centuries.

In the years of the rule of Prince Iziaslav, a large low hill near the village of Berestovo was given to the monastery. There, in 1073, Theodosius laid the foundation of the Cathedral of the Dormition (Uspensky). Since that time the territory has been divided into two sections: the Upper Lavra (on the hill) and Lower Lavra, together with the Nearer and Farther Caves.

In the 12^th century, the Upper Lavra continued to expand. Stone gates were raised with the Trinity Gatechurch on them, and at the end of the century stone walls were added. The Pechersk Lavra became an important cultural centre in Kyiv Rus. Here the main chronicles were written: at the turn of the 12^th century, the famous Nestor-chronicler created splendid examples of Old Rus literature : The Tale of Bygone Years, The Life of St.Theodosius. Moreover, in the monastery, builders and artists were trained. History has preserved the name of the famous late 11^th or early 12^th century master Alimpy, who headed the icon-painting workshop.

The Pechersk Monastery had on its territory a hotel for piligrims and a hospital. Every year the Monastery provided accommodation and food for up to eight thousand piligrims. And this lasted for many decades.

A unique necropolis had been formed in Lavra.

Most of the buildings in the Monastery date from the 17^th and 18^th centuries and are excellent examples of Ukrainian Baroque style in architecture and there is only one church there that has been preserved from the 12^th century with very few architectural changes introduced since then. Its Troitska Nadvratna Tserkva (The Holy Trinity Church above the Gate).It is almost a miracle it has survived, as the Monastery itself was throughout its history the object of so many enemy attacks.

The Tatar-Mongol invasion severely damaged the Pechersk Lavra.Stone walls were razed, church interiors were destroyed, many valuables and works of art were looted.

The Nazi invasion caused considerable damage to the Monastery too. In November 1941 the Holy Dormition Cathedral was blown up. It is not yet known who exactly was behind the explosion – Nazi or Soviets. But the ruining nature and absurd of the both godless regimes are quite evident.

The most difficult times in the history of Lavra began after October revolution. According to the Decree of the Soviet government all church property was nationalized.

In 1926 the Resolution “On changing the status of the former Kiev Pechersk Lavra into the history and culture state museum and transferring it into All-Ukrainian museum town” was adopted. It resulted in a complete liquidation of the Monastery in 1930.

By the end of the 1950s under the pressure of the political and party system the Museum turns into an atheistic propaganda-breeder.

In 1961 by the voluntary decision of the authorities the monastery that revived on the territory of the Lower Lavra in 1941 during the Nazi occupation was closed and its monks were expelled.

In June 1988, in commemoration of the thousandth anniversary of Kievan Rus Baptism and according to the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of the UkrSSR, the territory of the Far Caves with all monastery buildings was transferred to the possession of a newly created Pechersk community.

In 1990 the territory of the Near Caves was handed over.

At present Lavra has its own plumbers, metal workers, carpenters, architects, medical assistance etc. There is an excursion bureau.

Nowadays, the architectural complex of the Pechersk Lavra Monastery looks truly grandiose.