The Orthodox Cathedral of Kiev. This was built in the 18th century by the Russian Czar to commemorate the brotherhood of Ukrainians and Russians. It was built by the hands of Ukrainians, and Russian overseers. Inside this cathedral is pure gold, and sapphire, and diamonds. It was untouched during the German Invasion of Ukraine.
Despite the Nazi cruelty towards Soviet forces and hatred towards the Jews, the Germans did not touch the christian churches and cathedrals of Ukraine. On the contrary, German soldiers would go inside the churches to pray.
Same church, different view
Same church, different view. If you look closely at the front of the church, you can see the emblem of the Russian Czar. The gold trimmings on the church is pure gold, and is original. It is almost 300 years old.
Saint-Sophia Grande Cathedral.
This cathedral is over 1000 years old, it was built originally in the 11th century and designed in Byzantine styles. In the 14th century when the Mongols-Tatars invaded Kievan Russ, the city was ransacked and damaged by the Mongol forces. Mongols ravaged the city of Kiev, killing and taking Ukrainians as slaves back to the flat plains of Mongolia. When the Mongols stormed the city, thousands of Ukrainians went inside the Saint-Sophia Cathedral and prayed for the intercession of St. Gabriel, St. Michael to save them. The Mongols did not go inside the church, nor did they touch or harm those inside it. It was declared a miracle by those inside, and to this day, there are icons and paintings inside the building of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who saved the Church.
This same cathedral has survived 1000 years of invasions, wars, from Mongols, Russian, French, Soviet, German. Yet it still stands. And hundreds of faithful still go inside to pray and worship the Lord. I was here and visited it myself when I was in Ukraine 2 years ago. It is huge and expansive. And you can feel the serenity inside. There are Ukrainian Monks inside that chant and sing in Orthodox hymns, it is very beautiful and soothing.
St. Sophia Cathedral; diff view
Inside the Cathedral; this is before the Thesiolinisis, the commemoration of the Saints.
These paintings and holy works are original, and were brought to the Cathedral by Byzantine Priests and Monks in the 11th century; 1000 years ago.
Original Works,
Interior Hall, there are saints all over, and on top of the Dome of the Church, if you look up, is a painting of God the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. Below Him are the ArchAngels, and the Angels and then the Saints.
The icon of St. Gabriel the Archangel who is said to have Saved the faithful inside St. Sophia Cathedral. It is said that The Wings of the Archangel covered the Cathedral during the Mongol War. And the Mongols, who were pagan, did not dare go inside the church. Something kept them away. To this day, the faithful Orthodox christians, the priests and monks do adorations and venerations of St. Gabriel and Michael for their intervention in the name of God. This church has been unhamred for 1000 years, which many consider a miracle on its own right. I believe so too.
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