Since ancient times, the capital of Ukraine was famous for its temples and monasteries, attracting pilgrims from everywhere. Many say that a city that is “marked by the finger of God” and is literally imbued with the spirit of Christianity brings a feeling of harmony and tranquility to a person. The golden domes of Kiev’s numerous churches attract eyes, surprising and fascinating tourists, and the architectural forms of numerous religious buildings give a real aesthetic pleasure.
In the history of the city, such world-famous cathedrals as the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, which is the first Christian monastery in Russia, and St. Sophia Cathedral occupy a special place. The architectural ensemble of the first tourists is striking in its splendor, and in the second you can see unique murals dating from the eleventh century. Both of these cathedrals are considered UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Kiev is also called "Jerusalem of the Russian land." After all, it is difficult to convey those innermost experiences that the Orthodox experience in contact with the holy places of this ancient city. But not only the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra or St. Sophia Cathedral is famous for the capital of Ukraine, but once also Kievan Rus. There are many other equally interesting temples and churches that everyone who comes here must see. And one of them is the Zverinetsky monastery in Kiev.
How to get there
Those who decide to explore this attraction on their own can approach it from Michurin Street - to sections 20 and 22. Having passed through the gate, you will need to go up to the metal door. At the entrance to the Zverinetsky monastery, you should call and wait for the guide. You can also get to it through the Botanical Garden, arriving by trolley bus number 14 or buses number 62 and 62K from the metro station "Pecherskaya". You need to get off at the Bolsunivskogo Street stop. If you go by subway, you need to get off at the station "Friendship of Peoples." From her to the Zverinetsky Monastery in Kiev, whose address: Michurin Street 20-22, can be reached on foot in just fifteen minutes.
To the attention of pilgrim groups arriving by bus: next to the temple, the passage and turn of vehicles with a length of more than nine meters is very complicated. Therefore, it is better to park somewhere on the street of Strutinsky and, going up the street. Michurina, walk to the cave complex.
general information
Zverinetsky monastery in Kiev is located in the historical district of the same name in the capital of Ukraine. It is included in the register of archeological monuments of national importance for the country. Zverinets cave monastery has a thousand-year history. He was hidden in the dungeons located on the right bank of the Dnieper River. The existence of this amazing and unique monastery mankind learned almost a century and a half ago. However, it must be said that the secrets that the ancient Zverinetsky monastery hides in Kiev have not been solved so far.
Mention that the holy monastery is located on this territory, scientists found in the annals of the Red Court, in which lived the son of Yaroslav the Wise Vsevolod. The name "Menagerie", according to historians, is associated with the woodland where this prince hunted. It is also known that in the years 1096–1097 of our reckoning, as a result of a nomadic raid, a monastery was destroyed here. Judging by the human bones found in underground cells, both the monks and local residents during the attacks of the Mongol-Tatars hid in underground caves, where attackers often found them and walled them up alive.
The monastery also served as a refuge during the Second World War. This is evidenced by the inscription found on the wall by archaeologists, dated 1941. Currently, on the basis of the revived monastery of the caves of the same name, a dormitory male Zverinetsk monastery functions here. It was founded in 2009. Seven inhabitants live in it: five monks and two novices.
Story
In 1888, a message appeared in one of the Ukrainian newspapers stating that a cave was opened on October 12 of that year, located near the Holy Trinity Monastery in Zverinets. It happened quite by accident. Eyewitnesses, according to the chroniclers, said that there was an unexpected roar, and after that the entrance to the cave opened. Theodosia Matvienko became the first visitor to the newfound monastery. This pious woman lived near this place. A vision came to her many times in a dream: a moving rainbow at one end rested exactly in the place where a cave failure was formed.
Upon learning of the discovery, Theodosius was the first to go down. In failure, she saw numerous human remains. Some of them were buried in special niches, while the rest are scattered along the entire space of the cave, and in various positions — apparently, since death found them. Theodosius asked the brethren of the Holy Trinity Church to serve a memorial service for the souls of people found by her deceased in the newly discovered cave. After hearing her story, the monks, with the blessing of the abbot of the monastery, the elder archimandrite Jonah came down to personally inspect the cave.
In it, along with numerous human remains, they found fragments of monastic clothing, crosses, paramans, leather belts of cassocks, church utensils and dishes. All these findings indicated that in the failure not random human burials were discovered, but one of the ancient cave monasteries, which the city of Kiev has long been famous for.
Amazing discovery
It was here that a unique image of the cross, called the “Zverinetsky”, was found. In its form, it is very reminiscent of a schematic depiction of a human body, because in addition to the usual base for us from crossed two lines, it also has two ... “legs”.
For a long time, until 1912, the Zverinets Monastery could not be explored. The fact is that then its territory was at the disposal of the Artillery Department, so no money was allocated for its study. It was necessary to find a philanthropist who would like to finance research work. And fortunately, one was found. It turned out to be Prince Vladimir Zhevakhov. Having bought the land over the failure, he received permission from the city government to excavate in caves.
In 1912, work began. They were led by a member of the Society for the Protection of Antiquities of Kiev Alexander Ertel. Zhevakhov himself only watched the work and financed it.
Years of Soviet Power
Almost immediately, the caves became a place for pilgrimage. A huge number of people, gathering at the entrance to them, wanted to get into the ancient Zverinetsky monastery. The schedule of work had to be constantly changed, because the flow of pilgrims prevented researchers from working. People came here even after the end of the study, up to the thirties. Crowds of pilgrims stopped coming here only after the routs and persecutions of the Soviet regime began. In 1933, the abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite Filaret, was killed, and in 1934 the Zverinetsky monastery itself was closed, and after its building was blown up. Access to the caves again opened only after the nineties of the last century.
The revival of the monastery
When in 1993, experts examined the relics found in the caves, they came to the conclusion that the latter belong to the tenth-twelfth centuries. In addition, it was found that all those people whose remains were analyzed suffered during their lifetime diseases that affect the human body from prolonged exposure to cold and damp conditions. This was further evidence that the monks were hiding here. In 1997, the monastery of the Nativity of the Virgin was revived here, and already in 2009, the Archangel-Mikhailovsky Zverinetsky Monastery was established on its basis. Since then, worship services have been held here regularly. Everyone wants to make a pilgrimage to the cave and, of course, be sure to visit the Zverinets Monastery. The schedule of services can be found in the temple or see the official website of the temple.
Unique finds
When the underground galleries were cleared, inside one of the cells they found an ancient cypress image of the Mother of God. It is likely that this icon belonged to the Metropolitan, who was brought from Korsun by Prince Vladimir for the baptism of Russia. Scientists know that he was a Syrian. Metropolitan Michael baptized the people of Kiev and it is entirely possible that it was he who founded the Zverinetsky Monastery in Kiev. The photos taken by historians during the excavations indicate that this cave monastery was ravaged either by the Polovtsy or the Tatars. Many remains were found directly at the entrance to the caves and in the aisles. Apparently, the invaders, having lost hope, simply bombarded her.
The revival of the temple began immediately after the war. Caves received the status of the Monument of Archeology. At the end of the nineties of the last century, the monks of the Ioninsky Monastery resumed divine services held in a cave church, which is the Zverinetsky Monastery in Kiev. A photo of the eponymous miraculous image found in the dungeon was posted in one of the publications. This newspaper fell into the hands of a priest of one of the villages located near Kiev. With great surprise, the father on her recognized that icon in front of which he said daily prayers to God. In 2000, the miraculous image was returned to the Trinity Church of the Ionian Monastery.
Zverinetsky monastery: schedule of services
Since those time immemorial, it was commonly believed that the place where the Zverinetsk caves are located is one of the holiest points for Ukraine and Russia. And even despite the fact that with the construction of the ground Svyatomykhailovsky or Vydubitsky church, part of the brethren left their underground cells, and the underground monastery itself was destroyed by the Tatar-Mongol invaders and forgotten for almost eight hundred years, today they continue to attract pilgrims who come here from all over our huge country. Their history and mystery are incredibly attracted by the amazing Zverinetsky monastery in Kiev.
The schedule of services held within the walls of the monastery can be found on the official website of the temple. On Sundays at 7.15, and on weekdays at 6.30 in the morning there is a Midnight Office. To the Small Faith you need to arrive at 17.00. The Thanksgiving Liturgy is held at the Cave Church on Saturdays at 7.00 a.m. On Sundays, the Vespers and Akathist to Archangel Michael are served at the same time .
Zverinetsky (Arkhangelo-Mikhailovsky) male monastery today is a huge complex. On its territory there is a cave church, consecrated in the name of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael, the gate church and the Cathedral of the Icon of the Mother of God. Divine services are held both in aboveground and in underground rooms, which are part of the Zverinetsky Monastery complex. The schedule of services, as well as a list of all church holidays today can be found on its official website.
Shrines
The ancient Zverinets Monastery is not only interesting for contemporaries because of its amazing history. Here are numerous sacred relics. Among them are such venerated icons as the image of the Mother of God “Zverinetskaya”, “Joy of All Who Sorrow”, and “The Naughty Girl”. Here are the relics of all the reverend fathers of the Zverinets.
Tourist info
The Zverinetsk underground caves are formed by three street galleries: Altarnaya, Funeral (Bezymyannye burials) and Bezymyannaya (unexplored burials). Cells, as well as group crypts, are completely lined with security boards. They protect against collapses. The walls and locales of Funeral Street were faced with brick several years ago. At that time, the foundation of the temple was above this part of the underground passages.
The total length of the streets is about one hundred and fifty meters. They are completely safe for visiting tourists. On the left side at the end of Altar Street there is a burial locale signed in the name of Theodore Kaleki, to the right is the cell of Andronik Peshchernik. In the temple above the altar in stone, a list of eight hegumen of the Zverinetsky is carved: Leonty (the founder of the monastery), Markian, Mikhail (later Bishop of Yuryevsky), Sofroniy, Mina (later Bishop of Polotsk), Clement, Manuel and Lazarus.
Tourists can come into contact with the life of the ancient inhabitants of this cave temple. The monks slept in narrow cold faces, and clay performances served as pillows for them. The residents dined on tables, which were the smooth surfaces of caves. The menagerie monks buried their brothers very modestly: they simply put a man in the ground between two boards, then they lowered the second on the body of the first and then the third. The piles of bones already yellowed from time to time, layers interspersed with stones, are visible due to the lattice in the narrow tunnel of the dungeon. Here you can also notice the ceramic vessels from which human skulls peek out. A small metal icon was found in the tomb niche where Abbot Clement was buried. It was coated with white enamel, which should protect the metal from corrosion. The icon depicts the image of the Virgin "Hodegetria". Subsequently, people found that she was miraculous and healed from disease. Here you can also see the relics of Michael, the Metropolitan, who, as already mentioned, inspired Prince Vladimir to baptize Kievan Rus.
Interesting Facts
They say that the benefactor Zhevakhov, whose money was excavated, after the revolution was hiding in the Zverinetsk caves. True, then he was caught and spent seven months in one of Kiev prisons. After leaving the places of detention, Zhevakhov became a monk, and in 1926 - a bishop. In 1937 he was arrested by the NKVD. A few months later, Zhevakhov was shot for opposition to the regime.
Many legends and traditions are piled around the underground cave monastery. Of course, it may seem to skeptics that the miraculous discovery of this place of power is just an ordinary geophysical phenomenon: supposedly the hum could be from a collapse, and the rainbow was caused by the refraction of light. However, both pilgrims and many romantic tourists come here just to be able to penetrate the amazing aura that this shrine has. There is talk that here, in the pavilions of the Zverinets hills, the legendary library belonging to Yaroslav the Wise could also be hidden.