One of the earliest and best-known monasteries in Ukraine, St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv (so named because its catholicon was apparently the first in Rus' to have golden domes), celebrated the anniversary of its restoration after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
One of the earliest and best-known monasteries in Ukraine, St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv (so named because its catholicon was apparently the first in Rus' to have golden domes), celebrated the anniversary of its restoration after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The monastery, which was an architectural masterpiece and historical landmark, was demolished during the Soviet era and replaced by a sports complex, only to be restored to its pre-demolition state after Ukraine became independent in 1991.
This past weekend's celebrations were led by Patriarch Filaret (Denysenko) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate, whose theological academy and seminary are housed on the remaining grounds of St. Michael's. The celebratory services were concelebrated by auxiliary Bishop Ahapit of Vyshhorod, superior of the monastery, and nine other hierarchs of the Kyivan Patriarchate.