‘The russians are threatening”: the Lavra explains why it removed the cross from the Church of All Saints

Russian troops shelling Kyiv threaten human lives and historical monuments. Irreversible damage to architectural objects can be caused by blast waves, seismic vibrations and vibrations caused by shelling. This was reported by the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve on Facebook.

Experts decided to prevent further damage and dismantled the cross from the All Saints Church, an architectural monument. Rescuers of the State Emergency Service carried out the dismantling. The cross is to be restored and reinstalled in the near future.

The All Saints Church, as explained by the religious structure, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is under threat. This also applies to the entire complex of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The monument has been in need of comprehensive restoration since 1980. In 2024, the international organisation joined the development of scientific and project documentation.

Києво-Печерська лавра

The All Saints Church is part of the architectural ensemble of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. It was built in 1696-1698 at the expense of Hetman Ivan Mazepa and has a unique architectural composition and painting.

The fall of the cross from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

On 8 March, rescuers removed a cross from the dome of the church in Kyiv. A cross fell from the Kyiv Cave Monastery. Specialists received a call for help in Lavrsky Lane on 8 March at 13:05.

Earlier, a deterioration in air quality was recorded in Kyiv.