For the first time in many years, a delegation from the Esphigmen Monastery from Mount Athos arrived at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. Together with the Lavra brethren, the Athonite monks held the first divine service in the Assumption Cathedral after the Russian attack on June 15. At that time, 19 objects of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra National Reserve were damaged.
The festive all-night vigil was held on the occasion of the 975th anniversary of the founding of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and the day of memory of St. Anthony of the Caves, whom the Orthodox Church of Ukraine honors on July 10. The service was led by the abbot of the Esphigmen Monastery, Archimandrite Bartholomew, together with the brethren of the monastery.
In the Holy Assumption Cathedral, traditional Byzantine chants were performed by professional protopsaltes and singers from the Holy Mountain. Liturgical works according to the Athos tradition were performed by two large choirs.
The arrival of the Athos delegation was one of the main events of this year’s celebrations. It was from the Holy Mount Athos that the tradition of monastic life, initiated by the Monk Anthony of the Caves, came to Kyiv over nine centuries ago. Therefore, the participation of the Athos brothers in the celebrations marking the 975th anniversary of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra emphasized the spiritual connection between Kyiv and Athos.
As a reminder, it was the Assumption Cathedral that suffered the most during the Russian strike on the night of June 15. The fire after the Russian drone hit destroyed more than 80% of the roof of the church. After the attack, emergency work was carried out on the cathedral. The damaged roof was temporarily covered to protect the shrine from precipitation until full restoration began.
