Five the most unusual churches in Ukraine

These temples are located in different corners of our country, each with its own difficult fate and history, which we will look at in detail later. They belong to different ecclesiastical jurisdictions, some are museums, but this does not negate their importance and uniqueness. The following churches are on our list:

 

1. The Church of the Transfiguration in the village Gusyntsi (Kyiv region)

2. The Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin in the village Parkhomivka (Kyiv region)

3. St. George's Church in Drohobych (Lviv region)

4. Latin Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul in Kamianets-Podilskyi (Khmelnytskyi region)

5. The Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin in the village Sutkivtsi (Khmelnytskyi region)

What is the peculiarity of these temples? The fact is that they are the only structures of their kind located in Ukraine. And now, you will see it.

 

Church of the Transfiguration in the village Gusyntsi (Kyiv region)

 

Even the "all-knowing" Google and his search will not find at your request any village Gusyntsi in Kyiv region. The reason is very simple: the village founded in the late 18th century, where the “Maxim Perepelytsia” film was filmed in 1955, was flooded in 1971 during the construction of the Kaniv Reservoir. The inhabitants were relocated and their homes and the local temple in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which was closed by ungodly authority, covered the waters of the result of socialist construction. According to the legend of the local old-timers, the elder of Gusyntsi, having learned about the intentions of the authorities, despite all the rules ordered to repair the building. It is perhaps because of this that the church survived after the flood. Over the years, the water level gradually dropped, and by the end of the 1990s the entire church building was on a small island. In 2008, with the help of philanthropists began the restoration of the temple: repairs and restoration were carried out, the island was expanded, a small bridge was built. You can reach the church by car from the village Soshnykiv and by water using a boat from Rzhyshchiv. Church of the Transfiguration is a unique example of rebuilding a flooded temple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village Parkhomivka (Kyiv region)

 

If you were in Vienna, you should absolutely know the concept of "secession" - the art style of the late XIX - early XX century, which became widespread not only in Austria, but in general in Central and Eastern Europe. In Ukraine, secession as a style is widespread mainly in Galicia, but not far from Kiev there is an interesting church built in this style. This is a temple in honor of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village Parkhomivka, of Volodarka district, Kiev region. Why it was built there? The fact is that at that time the village was the family estate of a wealthy Russian industrialist Viktor Golubev. Golubev died in 1903 and, according to his last will, was buried in Parkhomovka, where he also ordered the constraction of a new church as a sacrifice for the peace of his soul. The sons of the wealthy man Victor and Leo immediately embarked on their father's will and began construction the same year. V. Pokrovsky was chosen as the architect, and the famous and fashionable artist Mykola Roerich was invited to decorate the paintings. Not only the temple was built, but also the whole complex of structures: a bell tower, a chapel, a priest's house, a fence, a guardhouse. All of them carry a striking influence of the modern style of secession. Two Roerich mosaics adorned the exterior walls of the temple, but Golubev brothers chose not to order from him the interior paintings. They decided that the too modern style of Roerich would be incomprehensible to the local peasants (the main parishioners of the temple) and therefore left the walls simply bleached. The altar part was painted in the style of Sofia Oranta by artist Vasyl Perminov. Construction was completed in 1907 and after that the Church of the Intercession became a parish for the residents of Parkhomivka, which it remains after hundreds of years. An interesting unusual style temple also attracts tourists who want to see with their own eyes this amazing building of secession style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Church of St. George in Drohobych (Lviv region)

 

Wooden sacral architecture is very common in Ukraine. But not all of these churches were preserved in the same way as St. George's Church in Drohobych. This wooden temple of the 15th century was transported to Drohobych in 1656 and completed on site. According to another version, the church was originally built in Drohobych, and the material of the other church was used only for its completion. One way or another, St. George's Temple is unique in that it recreates Ukrainian church art of the seventeenth century from the outside as well as from the interior. Wall paintings of that time, made by icon painter Stefan Maliar, impress with their portraiture and range of colors. In addition to iconic plots, traditional folk floral ornaments were used for decoration. In 1678, a wooden bell tower was built near the church. The amazing preservation and uniqueness of St. George's Church murals have been recognized globally. This temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latin Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul in Kamianets-Podilskyi (Khmelnytskyi region)

 

Kamianets-Podilskyi is a unique city where historically representatives of different nationalities and religions live in peace and harmony. This city is known in Ukraine for its magnificent castle and balloon festivals. However, the sacred architecture of the city is also very interesting. The Catholic church appeared in the city in the 15th century and was just in place of a modern cathedral. After a fire in 1616, a temple built in the Gothic style was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. In 1646-48, a stone bell tower appeared beside it. In general, the complex of buildings was also a protective structure, since it was located near a canyon and had a strong fence. Kamianets was conquered by the Turks in 1672, and until 1699 it was the center of a local Turkish province. At this time, the church was converted into a mosque: images and statues were destroyed, a forty-meter minaret was erected instead the chapel, and a minbar, which is a place for sermons, was constructed in the temple. After the Turkish domination, people began to rebuild all the decor, but already in the Baroque style. In 1756 a sculpture of the Virgin was installed on the top of the minaret. Thus, the temple incorporates four architectural styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Muslim and Baroque. This makes it really unique for Ukraine, because where else can you see the Christian church with a minaret? Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul is a spiritual decoration of Kamianets-Podilskyi, which attracts both pilgrims and tourists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin in the village Sutkivtsi (Khmelnytskyi region)

 

Have you ever seen a church in the shape of a castle tower? If not, you need to go to the village Sutkivtsi in Khmelnytskyi region, where near the ruins of the castle you can visit the existing church, located in the watch tower-donjon. Because the village was located on the Kuchman Way, which was often used for Tatar raids, defense structures were built there. In 1476 the defensive tower was rebuilt into a church and with the painted walls. The basements of the temple connected it with Sutkivtsi Castle. The defensive character of the church is emphasized by its shape, as well as the nearly two-meter-thick wall. The Intercession Church survived many enemy invasions, but its services were not performed only in Soviet times. In the 1990s, careless repairs were carried out, which nearly destroyed the building itself. But already in the 2000s the temple was professionally restored and since 2010 the services have resumed. According to its architectural design and appearance, the Sutkivtsi Church has no analogues in Ukraine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This concludes our review, but does not end with examples of interesting churches and cathedrals located in our state. The Axios team is urging you more and more to travel to Ukraine and study its history. Maybe then we will realize, that in fact we have everything we need for development, our only goal is to learn how to use it properly.