UNESCO Backs Restoration of Historic Ukrainian Church
Supported by UNESCO, the All Saints Church, a unique 17th-century monument within the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, built by Hetman Ivan Mazepa, is set to be restored in Ukraine's capital. A museum dedicated to Mazepa will also be established in the Onufriy Tower, informed Alexander Tkachenko, the Ukrainian Minister of Culture and Information Policy. This announcement is reported on the Ministry's website.
"We are initiating restoration work at the Church of All Saints under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine and with the support of the UNESCO Office in Ukraine to preserve the invaluable contribution of the Hetman to the history of the Ukrainian people," the Minister stated the day before, following a prayer service for Hetman Ivan Mazepa at the church.
"We started work on this within the 'Great Restoration' programme even before the war. Now we just need to complete it and establish the museum. As promised, the Lavra is becoming Ukrainian. From now on, prayers for prominent figures in Ukrainian history will be heard within its walls," Tkachenko added.
According to Kostiantyn Krayny, Deputy Director for Research at the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra", the restoration is set to involve internal and external works. The foundation, which is deteriorating due to excess moisture, and the roof that is letting in moisture, leading to the paint peeling inside the church, are set to be repaired. The unique 17th century wall painting and examples of early 20th century temple painting are also due for restoration.
"The last restoration took place in the 1970s. Over ten years ago, this church was closed to visitors due to its unsatisfactory condition," the scholar noted.
"Ukraine currently has several sites that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, including the All Saints Church. We are very pleased to assist Ukrainian institutions in preserving and restoring this site," emphasised Chiara Dectzi Bardeschi, a representative of the UNESCO Office.
The exact date for the start of the restoration works and the specialists involved have not yet been announced. However, the delegation representatives assured that the restoration work will begin this year, following the approval of the relevant project documentation.
The Onufriy Tower, built at Mazepa's expense, will house a museum in honour of the Hetman. It will display unique artefacts donated to the church by the figure's family and Mazepa himself: the Gospels of 1636 and 1707, Ivan Migura's engraving "The Triumph of Hetman Ivan Mazepa", printed in the Lavra's printing house in 1705, a velvet patch of the 17th century, and the book "Psalter with Explanation" from 1697. These exhibits were showcased on Sunday at the Church of All Saints.