Photos showing the condition of the churches at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra before the revival of monastic life at the monastery have been published online

June 16, 2026, marks the 38th anniversary of the revival of monastic life at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra following decades of neglect during the Soviet era. To mark this anniversary, a collection of historical photographs has been published online, showing the condition of the Lavra’s architectural complex at the time of its return to the Church and the results of subsequent restoration work.

According to the Information and Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, citing the “SvitViry” Facebook page, it was on June 16 that the first Divine Liturgy since the monastery’s closure in 1961 was celebrated at the Church of the Annunciation.

The first buildings of the Lower Lavra were transferred to the Church on June 24, 1988. This referred to the territory of the Far Caves. In 1990, the monastery was granted use of the territory of the Near Caves and the structures located there, including the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, a gallery, a bell tower, the Church in Honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring,” as well as other buildings.

According to the UOC, a significant portion of the buildings was in a state of near-ruin at the time of the transfer. Over the following decades, the monastic community had to undertake extensive work to restore the monastic complex, repair the churches and buildings, and revive a full-fledged monastic life.

On this memorable date, the monastic community of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra also asks for prayers for the restoration of the Cathedral of the Dormition, which, according to reports, was damaged on June 15 as a result of a Russian attack, as well as for the monastery to overcome the trials it is currently facing.