In the Exaltation of the Cross church of the Lavra, many holy relics are preserved; yet the church itself may rightly be called a shrine — a precious jewel of the monastery. Here, for generations, monks have celebrated and continue to celebrate the appointed services. Perhaps for this reason, one senses that the austere beauty of the church itself silently “preaches” of the noble and steadfast grandeur of the monastic life.

With particular warmth, the faithful of the Lavra have often remarked that, upon crossing the threshold of this truly majestic church, their hearts are lifted in fervent prayer to the Creator. Indeed, while abiding in this wondrous house of God, one feels in the heart an indescribable bond between times, whose course bears witness that, in every age of earthly history, the Orthodox faith lives on despite all trials. Reflecting upon this in the stillness of the monastery walls, one understands that even the mere thought of God kindles the human heart with love — a love which, when it becomes one’s guiding light, is able to save even when all seems lost.

Above the Royal Doors of the church there is always placed a copy of the icon of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos — the principal icon of the Kyiv Caves Lavra. According to tradition, at the end of the Divine Liturgy, this icon is lowered so that the faithful may venerate the holy image. However, for a year and a half this was not possible due to internal restoration works. How eagerly did the faithful await the resumption of services in this church! And thus, on the day of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, monastic prayer was once again heard beneath the ancient vaults.

The Locum Tenens of the Kyiv Metropolis, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Chernivtsi and Bukovina, together with the assembly of vicar bishops and the clergy of the monastery, performed the rite of the consecration of the altar. After restoration, carried out through the labours of the abbot and the brethren, the church has become, in architectural terms, one of the most remarkable in the Lavra. Following the consecration, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated.

This day will be remembered for the radiance of the vestments of the Lavra’s icons, the shimmering light of countless candles, the solemn prayerful chanting of the brethren, the budding trees upon the square of the Near Caves, and the first joyful rays of the spring sun.

The Third Sunday of Great Lent — the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross — now approaches…

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