St. Michael Golden Domes Cathedral in Kiev is an outstanding architectural monument symbolic of establishment of Christian spiritual values in Kiev Rus. Erected by Sviatopolk, a grandson of Yaroslav the Wise in 1108-1113, the Cathedral existed for many centuries under the guard of its celestial protector, "prince of angels" Archangel Michael, and witnessed wars, upheavals and changes in the religious and political life of Kiev. Although throughout its 15 centuries' history the city was more than once occupied by hostile armies, burnt and devastated, sacred images perpetuated in brilliant mosaics and frescoes kept inspiring hope and faith in the hearts of people who were coming to the wonderful temple called Golden Domed. It was during communist dictatorship, that St. Michael Cathedral was barbarously destroyed in 1935 on a whimsy of ignorant bellicose atheists. Some fragments of the splendid mosaics and frescoes have been saved in St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, others were taken away to Russia. Reconstruction St. Michael Golden Domes Cathedral at the present uneasy time can be considered as a sign of spiritual resurrection of Kiev, the cradle city of Christianity in Russia, and of the whole of Ukraine.



The best creative manpower from all over Ukraine has been involved into reconstruction St. Michael Golden Domes Cathedral. Foremost architects, constructors, engineers and builders have been working hard to reconstitute every detail of the temple, from foundation stones to lacy crosses crowning the domes. Special attention has been focused on renewal of the original magnificence of interior. Artists, sculptors, and wood-carvers displayed remarkable creativity, skills and mastery while renovating from almost the zero complex compositions of wall paintings and decorative ornaments, wooden lace of gilded iconostasis and shining marble balustrades.



All paintings in St. Michael Golden Domes Cathedral depicting scenes from the Bible have been executed in full accordance with ancient canons of Russian temple painting.
Chemical composition of paints and colors of palette have been selected in such a way, that many visitors in future could enjoy the impression of freshness and newness for many-many years. Special techniques and methods have been used to enhance the effect of mysterious glitter of mosaics.



The central part of St. Michael Golden Domes Cathedral is open for religious service and visits in the spring of 2000, and St. Barbara and St. Katherine side-alters – at the beginning of 2001. We invite everyone who is interested in the process of spiritual awakening of Slavonic nations after many years of moral oblivion to visit restored St. Michael Golden Domes Cathedral in Kiev and witness historical growth of national awareness of the Ukrainian people. We would like to tell more about those who took part in this historic event and whose names will go down in the history of Ukrainian cultural Renaissance.