One of the honorary missions of the State Enterprise ‘Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions’ (GDIP) is to provide engaging and insightful leisure activities for members of the foreign diplomatic corps, helping them discover the rich history and cultural heritage of the country where they serve. Over the years, GDIP has organised numerous bus and walking tours, as well as a variety of workshops — from culinary and visual arts to dance and beyond. This undoubtedly contributes to shaping a positive image of Ukraine in the eyes of the international community. Today, the GDIP team continues to discover the many cultural layers of Ukraine , including its capital, to foreign diplomats, promoting the beauty of the country’s authentic cultural identity.
The depth of any country’s culture is reflected in its enduring spiritual values and traditions, accumulated over the centuries in holy places such as monasteries and churches. On Saturday, 3 May 2025, GDIP Media Center team organised a new bus and walking tour titled Three Monasteries around the Botanical Garden, which welcomed representatives from the Embassies of Denmark, Finland, Germany, Mexico, and the EU Delegation to Ukraine.
The pilgrimage tour included visits to three Kyiv’s monasteries — the Archangel Michael Zvirynets Monastery, the Holy Trinity Jonah Monastery, and the St Michael’s Vydubychi Monastery — architectural masterpieces that harmoniously adorn the landscape of the Mykola Hryshko National Botanical Garden. The diplomats heard fascinating stories about the foundation and history of the temple compounds.
The Archangel Michael Zvirynets Monastery is located in the picturesque eponymous area — Zvirynets. According to a legend, Prince Vsevolod I of Kyiv founded a monastery here in the 1070s, which fell into decline following the Mongol invasion. In 1888, during earthworks, the Zvirynets Caves were discovered, revealing numerous monks’ burials — a major archaeological discovery. A new monastery was established on the site in 1911 and eventually became a skete of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. In the 1930s, the Soviet regime closed the monastery and destroyed all its churches. Reconstruction began after Ukraine gained independence, and today, it functions once again as a male monastery.
The Holy Trinity Jonah Monastery was founded in 1866 by the Reverend Jonah of Kyiv (Ivan Miroshnychenko). The main building of the monastery is the Trinity Church, built in 1871–72. Later, the church was expanded and decorated: the painting was done by students of the Lavra School. The monastery once housed an orphanage, a school, and a hospital, which reflects its social significance. After the monastery was closed in the Soviet era, the territory became part of a botanical garden, but the monks continued to hold services there in secret. The monastery was revived in the 1990s, and it still remains an active male monastic community
The Vydubychi Monastery is one of the oldest monastic compounds in Kyiv, established between 1070 and 1077 by Prince Prince Vsevolod I of Kyiv, son of Yaroslav the Wise. It was the dynastic monastery of the House of Monomakh and an important centre of spiritual and intellectual life. Prominent chroniclers such as Sylvestr and Moisei worked here. In the late 16th century, the monastery came under the authority of the Greek Catholic Church but was later returned to the Orthodox tradition. The current architectural ensemble was completed in the late 17th and early 18th centuries and includes St George’s Cathedral, St Michael’s Church, and other monastery buildings.
Highlight of the tour was a visit to the underground cave complex of the Zvirynets Monastery, led by Archimandrite Leontii. After a fascinating tour of the monastery compounds, the diplomats left with a renewed appreciation for the centuries-old history of Kyiv, preserved within the sacred walls of its shrines.
The spirit of the era can be felt not only through visual impressions but also through taste perception. On Saturday, 10 May 2025, the Media Center Directorate’s team arranged an exclusive gastro-wine tour of the Medovyi Spas Meadery, attended by staff from the Embassies of Brazil, Denmark, Mexico, South Africa and the Mercy Corps international organisation.
During this captivating journey through flavours and traditions, the diplomats were immersed in the world of an ancient craft — the art of making cikera. This noble beverage is born out of natural honey, juicy berries, and freshly pressed fruit — with no added sugar or alcohol. Its bouquet offers a delicate blend of floral lightness, fruity richness, and a lingering unforgettable aftertaste. Cikera is a living history, intertwining over eight centuries of Ukrainian soul, sunlight, and the craft of mead-makers. Today, this tradition is carried on by Medovyi Spas, one of Ukraine’s first producers to scale cikera to industrial levels — crafting over 350,000 bottles annually. Their products exemplify a refined fusion of ancient recipes with modern quality standards, certified by HACCP and ISO.
During the tour, guests were guided through every stage of production — from the initial fermentation to the barrel room, where cikera matures and acquires its signature character. The diplomats sampled eight varieties of the beverage, paired with Ukrainian artisan cheeses and sophisticated appetisers. The highlight of the event was a visit into the medusha — a sacred cellar where cikera matures in silence. Here, guests had the rare opportunity to taste limited-edition blends. The tour concluded with each participant selecting a favourite bottle to take home — a true and memorable gift from Ukraine.
The growing popularity of GDIP’s cultural tours among the staff members of diplomatic missions in Ukraine reflects their strong interest in Ukrainian cultural heritage and traditions. Therefore, we warmly invite all members of the diplomatic community to take part in future cultural events for a deeper understanding of Ukraine.
