On Saturday, 28 June 2025, the team of the Media Center Directorate brought representatives of diplomatic missions on a tour entitled The Majestic Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to introduce them to the wealth and depth of Ukraine’s spiritual and historical heritage site that is also a World Heritage Site.

The group comprised representatives of the Embassies of Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Moldova, and the US, and employees of the representative offices of the European Union, UNICEF, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and WeWorld Onlus organisation.

During the eventful tour, diplomats visited the Dormition Cathedral — the principal shrine of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra that was built in 1077. The guests also visited the Refectory Church, renowned for its unique atmosphere of comfort and harmony. The guests visited the Сhurch of the Saviour at Berestove, one of Kyiv’s oldest places of worship, which has recently been reopened for visitors following restoration efforts. The temple, built in the 11th–12th centuries, is a true pearl of architectural heritage.

Throughout the tour, diplomats were listening to Olena Lopukhina, Senior Research Fellow of the National Preserve ‘Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra’. She guided the guests through the pages of history, revealing the secrets of frescoes and the unique paintings of the Church of the Saviour at Berestove.

Over the course of the tour, diplomats learned more about the spiritual feats of Ukraine’s righteous and sages and Lavra’s role as a site of pilgrimages, education, and spiritual development. They listened to stories about prominent political and military leaders who patronised the holy place, safeguarding its development and defending it throughout the centuries.

Participants of the tour ascended to the top of the Great Belfry, where they enjoyed the view of Kyiv. From that height, the capital appears in all its glory: the vast expanses of the Dnipro river, modern quarters, and green hills merge to create a unique image of the city that blends ancient history and dynamic modern rhythm.

At the end of the tour, all participants received commemorative gifts: branded eco-bags and the book about the Dormition Cathedral, which will be a pleasant reminder of the visit to the monument.

Not only is the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra one of the most prominent Ukrainian holy places, it’s also a symbol of the reclamation of traditions, rebirth, and Ukraine’s spiritual strength.

Photos by Yuriy Yurchenko and Oksana Timonova.