Zelenskyy has signed a decree marking the 1,000th anniversary of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
This was reported by the press office of the President’s Office.
Zelenskyy: Ukraine will mark the Lavra’s millennium in a fitting manner
During his speech, the Head of State recalled that during the full-scale war, Russia had damaged 740 religious buildings in Ukraine. Among them are the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and the Cathedral of the Dormition, which were attacked by Russian drones on 15 June.
According to the President, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is one of the oldest holy sites in the Christian world and an important part of Ukrainian history.
“This is a special milestone, because in just one generation’s time, Ukrainians on this land will be celebrating the Lavra’s millennium. Our national shrine, alongside St Sophia’s Cathedral in Kyiv, the Transfiguration Cathedral in Chernihiv and other monuments of Kievan Rus’, definitively proves that the roots of Ukrainians on this land are deep and unbreakable,” Zelenskyy noted.
The President announced that preparations for the anniversary are already underway. Over the next 25 years, the state plans to implement a programme of measures to preserve dozens of cultural monuments, museum collections and architectural structures within the Lavra.
“This requires a great deal of joint effort, which we are embarking on today. And we must mark the Lavra’s millennium in the same spirit of unity that strengthens and protects our people and our state,” said the Head of State.
What makes the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra special
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was founded in 1051 by the Venerable Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves. It became the first major centre of monasticism on Ukrainian soil and one of the oldest spiritual centres in Europe.
It was at the Lavra that Nestor the Chronicler composed *The Tale of Bygone Years*, which became one of the most important monuments of Ukrainian chronicle-writing. The traditions of Ukrainian icon painting, book printing, education and culture also took root here.
There are almost 140 monuments on the grounds of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. In 1990, together with St Sophia’s Cathedral, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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