Caves Sacred Objects Images (19th – Early 20th Ct.) as the Sources for History of Social Interactions in the Dormition Kyiv-Caves Lavra

Abstract

Near and Far caves of the Dormition Kyiv-Caves Lavra belonged to Kyivan symbolic focal area in the symbolic core of the Orthodox territory. The sacred objects keepers interacted with numerous visitors there. Highly detailed images of the 19 th – early 20 th cc. need to be examined , as far as they may reflect these social interactions. The aim of this article is to evaluate an informative value of the Caves sacred objects’ images for the research of the social interactions, which were taking their place near these sacred objects. Due to quick eyes, discernment and technical skill of painters as well as the usage of the high quality photographic equipment the examined visual sources help us to verify and even complement some data from the verbal sources. First of all this concerns the details, which are important for social interactions history, but either too obvious or too negligible for their beholders. These sources are worthwhile because they rise some new research questions and help to systematize the search of an information on the problem. If carefully matched with the verbal sources, these images have a high informative value. They could be helpful in the research of general approaches of Lavra inhabitants to the communicative space near the sacred objects (from a perspective of its aesthetic and informative qualities, serviceability and accessibility for believers); concepts of the votives’ place near the sacred objects; traditional prayer practices and the monks’ role in them. However, these visual sources are useful only for study of the social interactions in the Near and Far caves with the participation of Lavra inhabitants. The author sees a hopeful prospect in the informative value estimation of the photographic report depicting the St. Euphrosyne’s holy relics translocation from the Lavra Far Caves to the monastery of the Saviour and St. Euphrosyne in Polotsk. Key words : Dormition Kyiv-Caves Lavra, 19 th – early 20 th ct., social interactions, visual source, sacred object, Near caves, Far caves, sacred object keeper, visitor, painter, photographer, informative value.