St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery Tour

St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery

The St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery is a historic site located on a bluff northeast of Saint Sophia Cathedral. It has been around since at least 11th century, when it was founded by Sviatopolk II Iziaslavych.

The St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery story is tragic as the once historic site may never be on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list

The demolition of the cathedral and bell tower happened on June 8th & 9th, 1934. The Soviets challenged the integrity of historical preservation during restorations centuries ago. The Byzantine-style cathedral that was so holy had been assumed more of Ukrainian Baroque style and lacked artistic and historical significance by the Soviets.

Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic authorities compelled local historians, architects, and archeologists into signing the demolition act. One courageous man, Mykola Makarenko, refused to sign his name to this atrocity and was imprisoned for his refusal to participate in the destruction of a unique historical landmark.

Makarenko was executed in a Soviet prison in Novosibirsk Oblast, Russia, four years after demolition. Due to this series of tragic events, the original St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery may never earn its place on the UNESCO list.

Marishka has fond memories during childhood years researching St. Michael’s Monastery and telling the history to eager tourists after reconstruction

It’s shameful, immoral, and corrupt what Stalin did to St. Michael’s Monastery and thousands of other churches in Ukraine. Centuries-old old buildings with actual significance were destroyed without a thought, and history is rewritten.

The tyranny of a psychopath as Stalin was a king in his own mind, brought down the monastery dedicated to St. Michael where it once stood across from the splendor of St. Sophia’s Cathedral.

The monastery barely withstood a Tartar invasion in 13th century and saw it’s glory rise up again in 15th century.

After centuries of destruction to St. Michael’s adorned monastery, the rebuilt version was reopened on May 30, 1999, and completed with mosaics and frescoes in May of 2000. The build-up of reverence continued in St. Michael’s name as precious frescoes were returned from Moscow to Kyiv in the early to mid-2000s. In 2018, the honor of the diocesan bishop and headquarters of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine was bestowed upon this new reconstruction of the church and monastery esteemed to St. Michael, The Archangel.

Itinerary

St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery

The St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv is one of the most picturesque monasteries in Eastern Europe. Its golden spires tower high into the sky. The functioning monastery in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital city, is located on the right bank of the Dnieper River, overlooking the Podil neighborhood and a historical commercial quarter.

St. Michael’s Square

St. Michael’s Square, Mikhailovskaya Square in front of St. Micheal’s cathedral, is one of the oldest places to be found in Kyiv. It dates back to the 12th century when it was named after Archangel Micheal, who has been revered by Ukrainians for centuries.

Princess Olga Monument

Monument of Princess Olga, Apostle Andrew, St. Kirill and St. Methodius

Statue of The Archangel Michael

The Statue of The Archangel Michael sits high atop the front side of the cathedral, facing the entrance from Mikhailovskaya Square.

St. Michael’s Cathedral

The signature sky-blue facade and religious architecture of St. Michael’s Cathedral display fabulously shimmering domes, and one of the most elegant Orthodox temples in Ukraine is a remake of what was destroyed.

Refectory of St. John the Divine

The Refectory of St. John the Divine is a brick building with windows reminiscent of Eastern Orthodox churches. The Church John the Theologian borders it from the east, and pilasters are dividing one room into many sections for dining tables on both sides and kitchens behind them to prepare food served in front.

St. Michael’s Bell Tower

The St. Michael’s Bell Tower is a stunning three-tiered structure over 93 feet tall. The original was completed in 1719 to commemorate the church building’s significant moments throughout Ukrainian history, including observing many important events such as baptism ceremonies and Communion masses since its completion decades ago. The reconstruction was completed from drawings and photos.

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Author: Marishka Guide