Kyiv Theological Academy opens exhibition marking Lavra's 975th anniversary

Exhibition marking the 975th anniversary of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: KDAiS

An exhibition commemorating the 975th anniversary of the founding of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra opened at the Church Archaeological Museum of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary (KDAiS) as part of the 18th International Scientific and Practical Conference.

The exhibition was organized by the Kyiv Theological Academy, the Kyiv Metropolia's Orthodox Ukraine Museum, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's Synodal Department for Church and Culture. The department's chair, Abbess Seraphima (Shevchyk), presented the exhibits.

The opening was attended by KDAiS Rector Archbishop Sylvester of Bilohorodka, Bishop Panteleimon of Baturyn, Bishop Filaret of Baryshivka, representatives of the Kharkiv and Volyn theological seminaries, and the academy's administrators, faculty, and students.

The exhibition features ancient icons, panagias, crosses, ecclesiastical awards, episcopal vestments, early printed books from the Lavra's printing house, woodcuts, chromolithographs, musical scores of traditional Lavra chants, commemorative coins, archival documents, and contemporary publications.

A special section is devoted to photographs of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, the Holy Archimandrite of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

In August 2023, the administration of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve and the Ministry of Culture expelled the Kyiv theological schools from the monastery grounds, classifying students and faculty as “visitors” and denying them access to the Lower Lavra. As a result, the academy and seminary were forced to relocate to the Holy Protection Holosiiv Monastery in Kyiv.

As the UOJ previously reported, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry sent a message of greeting to participants in the Kyiv Theological Academy's conference.

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