Eugeniy Skibin, the guide-interpreter of Prime Excursion Bureau
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The idea of building the church, worthy of glorious deeds of Volodymyr the Baptist and dedicated to the 900th anniversary of Baptism of Rus, belonged to Filaret (Amfiteatrov) who addressed to the Orthodox people in 1852. The Metropolitan’s appeal who donated 7 thousand roubles for the new church was responsive with Orthodox believers who collected about one hundred thousand roubles, and Kyiv Pechersk Lavra Monastery made a donation of one million bricks manufactured at their own brick factory. On 15 July 1862, St. Volodymyr’s commemoration day, Metropolitan Arseniy laid the foundation stone of the cathedral.
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It was conceived in old Byzantine style. According to the original design it was to be topped with 13 domes but since there was lack of funds the present day cathedral is smaller with only seven domes. The construction was going on until 1864 when suddenly there appeared cracks in walls. They ceased work. Immense funds were needed to save the construction. For ten years the cathedral stood unfinished. In 1875 on the order of Alexander II the construction resumed and at last in 1882, after 20 years, was completed.
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The best masters were invited to paint St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral. The common theme of the Cathedral murals is “For the Sake of our Salvation”.
There are 30 images of the Rus ascetics: blessed princes, saint maidens, God’s fools.
Professor of fine arts Adrian Prakhov, outstanding connoisseur of Russian antiquity, artistic critic, archaeologist, was commissioned to conduct painting and adornment works at St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral. His name is connected with the history of Kyiv for ever.
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Photo. Madonna with Child, St. Volodymyr's Cathedral, Kyiv. V.Vasnetsov. |
It was he that uncovered frescos of the 12th century in St. Cyril’s church; it was there that under his guidance Mikhail Vrubel executed murals. A. Prakhov was the first to publish research works on T. Shevchenko’s literary heritage.
In the orchestra of painters working in the Cathedral the first violin was played by Viktor Vasnetsov who devoted 11 years of his uninterrupted work to the Cathedral. He worked as hard as ascetics, he depicted who served God. The Cathedral was badly heated. Vasnetsov got often ill. A few times he fell off the scaffolding which once could cost him his life but God’s mercy protected the painter. Among Vasnetsov’s works is one of the best in the history of sacral painting – the altar wall image of the Mother of God. It miraculously occurred on the altar wall. As the painter related, he couldn’t specify the image for a long time. And the Blessed Virgin herself helped him. Once early in the morning having come to work he and Prakhov amazingly saw on the altar wall the explicit shadow of the figure of the Mother of God with the infant in her arms. The painter immediately climbed the scaffolding and began quickly contouring the miraculous image that was slowly fading away. Totally for 11 years of his intensive work Vasnetsov painted about 2 thousand square metres. Among his works there are The Logos, The Father and the Son of God, the Saviour, Baptism of Prince Vladimir, Baptism of Kyivans, The sacrament of Eucharist, Last Judgement, Blessedness of Paradise, The Fall and others. Having finished his work in the Cathedral he stated: “I put up a candle to God”.
The young talented painter Mikhail Nesterov, also invited by Prakhov to paint the Cathedral, contributed amazingly tender, lyrical images. Among his works are SS Cyril and Methodius, SS Boris and Gleb, Grand Princess Olga, the martyr Barbara, SS Konstantin and Yelena, Birth of Christ, Epiphany, Resurrection and others.
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Photo. Babtism of Kyivan's. St. Volodymyr's Cathedral, Kyiv, V.Vasnetson.
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Photo. Last Judgment St. Volodymyr's Cathedral, Kyiv, V.Vasnetson.
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There also worked painters Kotarbinsky, brothers Swiedomskys who studied at European fine arts academies. Their academic works are as follows: Days of Creation, Transfiguration, Ascension, Raising of Lazarus, Entrance into Jerusalem and others.
The unfairly modest place in painting the Cathedral belongs to the genius of Mikhail Vrubel. Originally the sketches were worked out by him but they weren’t approved as the final version. He managed to perform only ornaments there.
Ukrainian painters also took part in painting St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral. They were A. Murashko, S. Kostenko, N. Pymonenko. Ukrainian masters contributed with their style and colouring.
The Cathedral iconostasis was done of Carrara marble, the best in the world.
On 20 August 1896, 34 years afterwards, long-awaited consecration of St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral took place. The Emperor Nicholas II with his wife were present at the ceremony. All the participants of works, some posthumously, were awarded a special memorable golden medal executed by Professor Prakhov.
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St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral at once attracted attention of contemporaries who unanimously called it “the first inspired work of the Russian sacral art”.
So the majestic Cathedral-monument was conceived on the initiative of Nicholas I, was being built in the reign of Alexander II and Alexander III and finished and consecrated n the times of Nicholas II.
The Soviet power officials treated the Cathedral in their own way. From 1929 till 1941 it housed the anti-religious museum. Those days because of constant humidity frescos and other murals were damaged. During the Nazi occupation the services were resumed, after the war – closed, in the 60s – resumed again.
At present in the Cathedral rest the holy relics of St Barbara and St Makarios. The first were brought to Kyiv in the 12th century by Prince Svyatopolk. For a few centuries they were kept in St. Michael’s Gold-domed Cathedral in the 500kg-shrine of pure silver. When in the 30s of the 20th century the monastery was closed St Barbara’s holy relics were secretly translated to St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral but for all that the silver shrine mysteriously disappeared.
At present St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv’s Patriarchy.
12.08.2011 A million dollars for “the fifth element”: charming native of Kiev Milla Yovovich
Inessa BLYUM, journalist
Specially for “Prime Excursion Bureau”
Her full name is written in different ways in various sources. Or rather names, to be more exact. Militsa Bogdanovna (or Borgievna) in Russian and Ukrainian tradition, Militsa Natasha in Montenegrin tradition of her father, nice girl Milla and the Hollywood rescuer of the humanity — all these definitions are true for the native of Kiev Milla Yovovich.
19.07.2011 Sister-cities of Kyiv
Evgeniy SKIBIN, pathfinder
Specially for “Prime Excursion Bureau”
April 28 is the World Day of Sister-cities. There exist two versions about the appearance of the phenomenon. The first one points out the initiative of veterans of the French Resistance in 1957 when in Paris the first international non-governmental organization – the World Federation of Sister-cities was established.
13.07.2011 The Monument to the Founders of Kyiv
Inessa BLYUM, journalist
Specially for “Prime Excursion Bureau”
Kiev has many symbols, starting from St. Sophia`s Cathedral and St. Andre`s Church to the bell tower of Kiev Pechersk Lavra and the Motherland Mother monument. “Ladya” — the monument to the founders of Kiev: brothers Kiy, Schek, Khoriv and their sister Lybid — has been on this list for three decades. This monuments doesn`t just embody the old legend. It holds its special place in the capital...
14.04.2011 Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Denmark in Ukraine Uffe BALSLEV: “WE HAVE BROUGHT “FAIRY-TALES” OF THE STATE OF DENMARK TO UKRAINE”
For many Ukrainians Denmark is associated with the image of a fairy-tale country. Not only because this oldest kingdom in the world gave humanity the great author of fairy-tales Hans Christian Andersen and the magic Mermaid, who meets guests on the seaboard of Danish capital Copenhagen and has become the unofficial symbol of the country. What surprises most is the miraculous combination of monarchy, democracy, market economy and real socialism — the subject of national pride of Danes.
25.03.2011 Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of France in Ukraine Jacques FAURE: “I MEET COSSACK IVAN SIRKO ALMOST EVERY DAY…”
The French Embassy in Ukraine is located quite near St. Sophia`s Cathedral. Let`s turn over other common pages in the history of our two countries together with the Head of the Diplomatic Mission — the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of French Republic in Ukraine Jacques FAURE.
07.02.2011 Hard destiny of the residence: the main palace of the capital and peripetias of its “life”
Inessa BLYUM, journalist.
Specially for “Prime Excursion Bureau”.
When Empress Elizaveta Petrovna, who must have been the only Russian ruler, who treated Ukraine with respect, decided to build her palace in the city, it froze in expectation. The former capital of the Rus land finally got a chance to become governmental residence again. But these intentions were not realized…
18.01.2011 Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Bulgaria in Ukraine Dimitar VLADIMIROV: “INTERTWINED FATES OF OUR NATIONS CAN BE RETRACED FROM DISTANT PAST”
Every year on the 1st of March with great constancy Bulgarians pin so-called “martenica” – a little interlacement of white and red threads in bright tracery with a heart or a flower - to their clothes. Such tradition has been well-known only in Bulgaria for a long time. Although it is respected by all Bulgarians throughout the country, but most attention is paid to it by peasants – probably, it is them, who go through biggest difficulties in the epoch of changes at all times. That is why from times immemorial local peasants decorate even animals in their farmsteads with red and white threads of “martenica”: this serves evidence and hope that new spring, new changes in nature will bring joy and prosperity into the house.
06.01.2011 Defense Attaché of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine Christoph BROON: “EACH CITY AND REGION IN UKRAINE OFFERS MUCH INTERESTING TO THOSE, WHO ARE ORIENTED TO LEARN MORE IN THE FIELD OF GEOGRAPHY, CULTURE AND HISTORY”
Switzerland is real paradise in the center of Europe. The country, associated with such notions as bank system, watches, chocolate, knives and ski resorts, attracts as the place of respectable pastime, a cozy area with high level of life, where, from the point of view of an ordinary Ukrainian, people live, wallowing in luxury. What do Swiss think about our country? How do they imagine Ukraine? What do they feel when they come here?
27.12.2010 Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine Ivan YURKOVICH: “PEOPLE SHOULD BE GIVEN GUARANTEES OF THE DIGNITY, WHICH THEY WERE ENDOWED WITH BY THE CREATOR”
Present-day Vatican, turning the eyes of its laymen towards tomorrow, often repeats Apostle Pavel`s words: “We are saved in hope”. And explains them: we obtain certain sense in hope. According to the Pope Benedict the Sixth, realization of dreams of Christianity is only possible outside “the prison of “I”, only within the unity called “we”. And if it is true, than our attention should be paid to the fact that in process of development of civilization there appears greater risk because of inadequacy of adoption of moral heritage of humanity by new generations. That is why it is so important to warn the world that “moral growth of humanity is necessary for progress to be real progress”.
20.12.2010 Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Finland Christer MICKELSON: “SUCCESS OF FINNISH PROSPERITY WAS DETERMINED BY LIBRARIES AND SYSTEM OF EDUCATION”.
Almost a hundred years ago we lived in one state. Today Ukraine and Finland are separated not only by years, but by substantial distance in level of life of the two nations. Nowadays, Finland is one of the most developed countries of the world with the high level of income per head. And although its part in world production is not big, but it takes one of the first places in the world in size of gross national product (over 20 thousand $ per year).
18.12.2010 Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Republic of Cuba in Ukraine Felix Leon CARBALLO: “WE ACTUALLY CAME FROM DIFFERENT SHIPS AND BUILT A SHIP OF OUR OWN – NATIONAL”
It seems not long ago that no New Year passed for us without mentioning distant Cuba. Each time it felt like we entered a new year with cheerful smile of Cubans. On the Island of Liberty much was told about the 1st of January – Liberation Day in holiday editions of local newspapers, radio and TV. Unfortunately, the tradition of common New Year has perished. But many Ukrainians keep good and grateful memories about the island of Cuba − a “ship” in endless ocean.
18.09.2010 “The city of a hundred thousand roses”
Vladimir CHERNOV, journalist.
Specially for “Prime Excursion Bureau”.
Cities are much like people: there are not two similar ones in the world and some have pseudonyms along with their names. So, Sumy is called “City over Psel” and “city of a hundred thousand roses”. About 200 years ago, in this comparably small regional center tens of thousands of these tender flowers really delighted everybody with their odor. Then there came times, when local authorities neglected flowerbeds and loans and roses disappeared. But the pseudonym “the city of a hundred thousand roses” survived.
25.05.2010 Mystical places of Kiev
Mikhail KALNITSKIY, historian.
Specially for “Prime Excursion Bureau”.
The most famous site in Kiev for performing different weird witches’ Sabbaths in Slavonic folklore is likely Lysaya Hora (Bald Hill). At the same time it is acknowledged that its “classical” location is under Kiev. Even in the respectable prerevolutionary paper Kiyevlyanin one could read: “According to a popular belief on Bald Hill in Kiev witches from all over the world gather to celebrate, together with vampires, a Sabbath and ride in the air..; here new witches get acquainted with old ones and learn various magic from them”.
09.02.2010 The building of the National Academic Ivan Franko Drama Theatre
Mikhail Kalnitskiy - historian
Special for Prime excursion burau ltd.
The building of the National Academic Ivan Franko Drama Theatre is in the same name square near Khreshchatyk. Not long ago it turned 111 years old, which is quite an age for buildings of old Kyiv. But intense historical memory and great significance for development of theatrical art in Ukraine makes the theatre building in Ivan Franko square one of the most interesting Kyiv relics.
10.12.2009 Khersones Taurical
Lidiya ZOTOVA, journalist.
Specially for “Prime Excursion Bureau”.
Khersones is a unique coastal natural monument at the Crimean foothill. Khersones was founded in 422-421 B.C. by Heracliots who had come from the south Black Sea coast city. It was called Khersones Taurical (from the Greek 'Chersoneses' − a peninsular). The Greeks named the whole region (modern Crimea) after its inhabitants, the Tauri.
St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral in Kyiv
