Tag: UA – Kiev: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

Little let-up in fighting as Ukraine, Russia mark Orthodox Christmas; AFP

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Photo: Efrem Lukatsky

Ukrainians and Russians on Saturday (Jan 7) marked Orthodox Christmas under the shadow of war, as fighting persisted despite Russian President Vladimir Putin unilaterally ordering his forces to pause attacks. Despite Mr Putin’s ceasefire order, war-scarred cities in eastern Ukraine saw no significant let-up in the fighting as AFP journalists in the town of Chasiv Yar, south of the frontline city of Bakhmut, heard heavy artillery fire throughout much of Saturday morning.

Source: Little let-up in fighting as Ukraine, Russia mark Orthodox Christmas

Espionage Allegations Against Russian Church Raise Religious Freedom Issue in Ukraine; Katherine Kelaidis; Religion Dispatches

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Photo: Religion Dispatches

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for “targeted closures” of “Moscow-backed” religious organizations in Ukraine, a more polite way of saying that he wants effectively to ban the Russian Orthodox Church. To be clear, the decree signed by Zelenskyy doesn’t immediately close all parishes and monasteries tied to Moscow (an act that would cause widespread chaos in a country where such parishes and monasteries still account for a majority of Orthodox institutions), but it does open all of them up to potential closure.

Source: Espionage Allegations Against Russian Church Raise Religious Freedom Issue in Ukraine

Faith & Footprints: Saint Sophia Cathedral In Kyiv, Ukraine; Kelly Wise Valdes; Osprey Observer

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Photo: Osprey Observer

With the recent events unfolding in Ukraine, it is only fitting to explore one of the most historical churches in the region: Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. Ukraine culture, architecture and religion highlight the importance of history for the Ukrainian people.

Source: Faith & Footprints: Saint Sophia Cathedral In Kyiv, Ukraine

Exploring the ancient graffiti of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv (photo report); Christine Chraibi; Radio Liberty

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Photo: Serhii Nuzhnenko, Radio Svoboda.org (RFE/RL)

During the presentation, visitors were allowed to look through the volumes and view the results of 15 years of research work, and talk directly with the authors and other project members. Historian Vyacheslav Kornienko then conducted a tour of the shrine’s nooks and crannies where he showed his awed guests the secret inscriptions on the walls of the millennial church.

Source: Exploring the ancient graffiti of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv (photo report)