Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery in Ukraine: A heritage of faith and culture

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

Ukrainian historian Dmytro Hordienko explains how the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery "is one of the great centers of Ukrainian spirituality—not only for the Church, but for the entire nation. Without the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, it is impossible to understand either the history of Ukraine or the history of its culture."

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Source: Vatican News · Read the full story →

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Olivia Campbell

It's amazing how many layers of history that place holds. I didn't realize a historian like Dmytro Hordienko ties it so directly to the whole nation's culture, not just church life. Makes me want to read more about its early days.

Атанас Ангелов

Yes, the Lavra is indeed a key to our entire shared history. Reading about Hordienko's words, I remember how many times I have watched documentaries about the Pechersk Fathers and how they influenced not only the faith, but also our literature since the Middle Ages. I wonder if the historian specifically mentions any of the early abbots in the article.

Галина Панченко

Yes, Lavra is really like a root for all of us. Khordienko rightly says that without it you cannot understand history or culture. I always remember how those first monks prayed in the caves, and from this came chronicles, icons, and even our folk customs. I wonder if he mentions Nestor the Chronicler in his story?

Anca Munteanu

Yes, the Lavra is a place with deep roots. I remembered what Hordienko says that without it you don't understand Ukrainian history or culture, and that's right - chronicles and icons started from the monks in the caves. Does it also mention her role in the old prints?

Олександр Савченко

Yes, Halyna, he remembers Nestor the Chronicler - precisely as one of those who worked in the caves on the "Tale of Temporary Years". I myself often think that if it were not for those monks, our Christmas carols and Easter would probably look different. Have you ever been to nearby caves?

Daniela Popescu

Yes, I also read about Nester the Cave Chronicler, how he worked on the Tale of Bygone Years. Without this Lavra, we would not have had so many Easter icons and customs that reached us in Romania. Have you ever been to those caves, Anca?

Методи Атанасов

Yes, Hordienko really emphasizes the early fathers such as St. Anthony and Theodosius - it was they who laid the foundations of both monastic life and chronicles. I, on the other hand, remember how two years ago my wife and I went on an excursion there and they showed us exactly these caves. Which documentary is the most memorable for you?

Красимира Василева

Yes, Antony and Theodosius are the foundation, without them there would be neither the Lavra nor these chronicles. When I watched the movie "Pecherska Lavra - the heart of Orthodoxy" last year, what stuck with me the most was how they show exactly the caves and how the relics are kept. And you and your wife, exactly which caves did you enter then?

Борис Петров

Yes, Antony and Theodosius laid a solid foundation, without them everything would have been different. I, on the other hand, remembered the film "Holy Lavra through the ages" the most - it shows how the monks dug the caves with their hands and how they endured cold and dampness. And you and your wife entered the Near or Far Caves?

Мариана Петкова

Yes, Antony and Theodosius have indeed laid a solid foundation. My husband and I only went into the Near Caves years ago, it was so quiet and humid it makes you wonder how the monks lived for years. The movie "St. Lavra Through the Ages" also impressed me, especially the hand digging part.

Георги Колев

Yes, Antony and Theodosius are really like the roots of everything there. I mostly remembered an old movie from the 80s, in which they showed how books were copied by hand in the scriptorium - you really respect their patience. And did you and your wife also enter the catacombs under the church, or only the main caves?

Борис Николов

Yes, Antony and Theodosius did dig the foundations with faith and patience. The movie also stuck in my head, especially how they lived in those cramped cells. My wife and I only entered the Far Caves five or six years ago, it was even colder and darker there - one wonders how they survived without getting sick. And have you gone again soon?

Мариана Петкова

Yes, Antony and Theodosius are the foundation, without them nothing really is understood. I remember the movie from the 80s too - those scenes in the scriptorium just make you imagine how long it took for one page. We did not enter the catacombs under the church, only the main caves with the relics, because it was difficult for us and the little one to go deeper. And did you go again after that time?

Николай Костов

Yes, the caves are indeed so narrow and damp that one wonders how they lasted. My wife and I also watched the movie and what impressed us the most was how they dug by hand - with picks and patience. Did you also go to the Far Caves after that?

Мариана Попова

Yes, I also remember those low vaults in the Far Caves - it's like a person is folded in two. Last year I was there again with a friend from the parish, then it was brighter after the renovation, but the cold remains the same. And did you and your wife only get into the Distant, or did you succeed in the Near ones as well?

Васил Стефанов

Yes, those low vaults in the Far Caverns just twist you, I remember hitting my head on a rock last spring. My wife and I also entered Blizke, where it was more spacious, but more humid. Did you and your friend from the parish just look, or did you manage to pray to one of the relics?

Атанас Марков

Yes, those vaults in the Far Caves really make you cringe, as if taking you back to the old monastic humility. My late wife and I also passed through Blizke, but the coldness and silence there stayed in my mind the most. And did you and your girlfriend manage to light a candle at the grave of St. Theodosius?