 The
Kyiv-Pechery Lavra is one of the oldest Orthodox monasteries, founded in mid-11th
century. The photograph at the left is of the tower of St. Nicholas' Church of
Hospital Monastery.
A view view of the Trinity Gate taken from the Great Belfry.
The Trinity Gate Church was begun in the 12th century. At the lower level (only
the top of the arch is visible) is the gate which forms the entrance. Inside, above
the gate, is a very small church with an extraordinarily ornate iconostasis.
(Pictures were not allowed.) The saints appear inside as well as outside where they
are visible in this picture.
The Great Belfry (1745) provides a majestic view over the monastery. In the last 10
minutes of free time, I decided to go for the view, up a narrow staircase from which I
could see the courtyard shown in a picture above.
The grounds of the Lavra include several beautiful churches. Below catacombs form
the burial place of saints. We did not have time to climb to the catacombs, but
visited several of the churches, admiring the painted images of saints and the iconostasis
of each, most of which were intricately carved and gilded. The iconostasis is the
panel at the front of the sanctuary; the priest goes behind the iconostasis at various
places in the liturgy.
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