Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Research Articles

Replenishment of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Library with new Editions in the 1770-80s: Initiators, Implementers, Needs

The article examines the socio-cultural aspects of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Library functioning in the 1770–80s. The focus is on acquiring the books as a purposeful way to form a collection of books that best demonstrated the monastery’s needs for books, interests and reading tastes of the fraternity. The author attempts to reconstruct the network of «book agents»: people who assisted in books acquisition; determine who was the initiator and who was the implementer of procurement; specify the needs in the printed books, as well as whether printed books completely displaced the manuscripts at the end of the 18th century.The author discovers the interest of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in replenishing the book collection not only to meet the readers’ needs of the fraternity but also based on the understanding of the importance of a well-stocked library to confirm the status of the monastery. It has been established that the «book agents» were the Lavra attorneys in Moscow and St. Petersburg, who carried out various assignments of the monastery; former Lavra monks transferred to other dioceses; or persons loyal to Lavra, specifically involved for this purpose. There is interest in translated literature, periodicals, new publications, and activity in the purchase of printed materials, which generally signals changes in the reading practices of the monastic corporation. The analysis of the repertoire of purchased books confirmed the spread of the ideas of the Enlightenment and the growing demand for secular and educational books on science and nature. The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, while remaining quite traditional in the segment of theological literature, where Latin continued to dominate, demonstrated openness to new trends in book culture of the second half of the 18th century.

Laws of the Book of Exodus through the Lenses of the Reader of the Ostrog Bible (after copy Kyr.4476p from the collections of Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine)

The copy of the Ostrog Bible from the collections of Vernadsky National library of Ukraine (Kyr.4476p) contains a significant number of handwritten marginalia, representing an attempt of one of its readers to comment and translate biblical concepts from the Old Church Slavonic into the prosta mova. Especially interesting are his notes on the so-called Laws from the Book of Exodus with interpretations of legal formulas.Its owner was Ioanykii Seniutovych, abbot of St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery (mentioned in 1710, 1713) and Archimandrite of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (1715–1729). Though the intellectual heritage of this Kyiv hierarch has not attracted the attention of scholars so far, a collection of books he left behind, most of which are commentaries on the Holy Scriptures, is known. Lesser known is the fact that Seniutovych himself or someone from the persons close to him elaborated his copy of Ostrog Bible so that each page contained various traces of his (their) thoughtful reading. Systematic comparison of Cyrillic and much more rare Latin notes on the margins with the 16th century Catholic and Protestant editions of the Bible have brought an unexpected find. While on the whole the parallels have revealed the heavy impact of the Polish biblical translations, the main source for Ostrog Bible reader and commentator came to be the Krakow 1599 year edition of Jakub Wujek, which demonstrates literal coincidences of the texts. It seems that our reader has undertaken the difficult task of juxtaposing the Old Church Slavonic translation from the Greek Septuagint with the Polish translation from the Latin Vulgate. On the way of analyzing the texts he made both mistakes and correct conclusions regarding biblical semantics. Thus, the case study of just one fragment of this extremely interesting copy involves a lot of issues concerning the understanding of the Holy Scripture in Kyiv in the late 17th-18th centuries.

The Greek “Epigram” by the Leichoudes Brothers to Peter I

The article provides a transcription, translation, context, and commentary on two versions of a Greek “Epigram” to Peter the Great by the Leichoudes brothers, Ioannikios (1633–1717) and Sophronios (1653–1730), Greeks from Kephallenia who were outstanding religious writers and enlighteners. The poem called “An Epigram to our quietest and crowned by God Tsar Peter Alexeevich, autocrat of Moscow and all of Great, Small and White Rus” was preserved as an example of elegiac couplets in the manuscripts of their textbook “Poetics” (“Περὶ τῆς ποιητικῆς εἴτε μετρικῆς τέχνης”), which they composed for the Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy — the first higher education establishment in Russia set up by the Leichoudes brothers in 1865 in Moscow. The textbook “Poetics” was written in ancient Greek without any Slavic translation. It was taught in the upper classes (suprema). In fact, it appears that this was a textbook on Greek versification. In 1855, the version of the “Epigram” kept in the manuscript of the Russian State Library in Moscow (F. 173 (MTA), № 331), dated to 1687, was published by Sergey Smirnov, but unfortunately this publication was not free from errors. The Greek version of the “Epigram” and its translation into Old Church Slavonic which had been kept in the manuscripts of the Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine in Kiev (F. 306 (Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra) № 337), seems to have never been transcribed and published before. After having compared both versions, the author concludes that the Moscow version has a more elaborate rhetorical style. The “Epigram” was written on the occasion of Peter I’s first visit to the Greek-Slavic school of the Leichoudes brothers at the Epiphany monastery (1685–1687), the predecessor of the Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy.

Iconostasis of the Trinity Gate Church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Research and restoration

Iconostasis of the Trinity Gate Church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Research and restoration

Путовање Саве Текелије у Русију: скица источне Европе у белешкама просвећеног племића

In 1787, Sava Tekelija, a Serbian Noble from Arad, set off on a journey to Russia with the idea of starting a career that he was prevented from having in Hungary due to religious reasons. This was a journey of discovery for him, as he saw Eastern Europe for the first time, a region with which he shared the Orthodox faith, but one whose cultural patterns and political customs were foreign to him. As he would discover, Eastern Europe was close to him because of the common Orthodox faith, but concerning the cultural patterns and political customs, it was far and foreign. Along the way, he would draw interesting sites and jot down his observations in a notebook, and these, years later, found their place in his memoirs. He penned interesting descriptions of the Russian landscape and geographical features, along with brief ethnographic observations and analyses. Much like travel writers from the West, Tekelija noticed the difference between the civilized world to which he belonged and the people from the European frontier, which lay beyond it. For example, he found out that the issue of sexuality in Russia was deeply intertwined with feudal social relations, which he illustrated with numerous anecdotes and detailed descriptions of events he had witnessed. Seeing as Eastern Europe, in terms of religion, mostly belonged to the Orthodox Church, unlike the rest of the continent, in the minds of Serbs in Hungary, Russia was synonymous with the Orthodox faith. This is why Tekelija used the opportunity to embark on a pilgrimage of sorts, and visit holy places as well as see famous Christian relics firsthand. In several places he gives his view of popular Christian beliefs and customs, singling out the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra as the most important place in the Orthodox topography of the region. At the same time, Tekelija was interested in art and culture, extensions of nobility characteristic of that social class, and so as a connoisseur and collector, he often visited private collections. Moving in the circles of the Russian nobility, he was able to get acquainted with the cultural life of the Russian elite and keep abreast of the various forms of art they engaged in. Even though his aristocratic status made him consider as his own only that which belonged to the elite, new ideas that had started permeating the continent ever more forcefully, made him ponder the politics and philosophy of various social issues he encountered during his travels. New landscapes and new people would outline an image of Eastern Europe that would help shape Tekelija’s views, which would come to the fore in the latter part of his life when he would become an important political actor and a leader of the early 19th-century Serb emancipation movement.

The mural paintings of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra’s Church of Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, 21th Century: the program, attribution, style

The mural paintings of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra’s Church of Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, 21th Century: the program, attribution, style

Experience in the restoration of the murals of the interiors of the Trinity Gate Church in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra during the period from 1979 to 1991

The purpose of the article is to carry out a comprehensive analysis of scientific approaches and technologies during the cycle of restoration works on the murals of the Trinity Gate Church in the period from 1979 to 1991. Methodology. Specific features of this topic require the use of a new range of research methods based on a comprehensive system-activity approach and analysis of modern technical and technological methods of researching the murals of the church. Scientific novelty. Concretization of previous achievements and losses in the restoration sphere, focusing on the consideration of the tried and tested restoration techniques and the effects of their use on the monument, introduction into scientific circulation of information about the composition of murals materials, and its specifics. Conclusions. The restoration process has enriched the history of the monument with valuable evidence of past restoration interventions, filling in the gaps in existing archival sources. During the restoration process, the restorers discovered the presence of earlier paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries.

НОВИЙ ПОГЛЯД НА РЕКОНСТРУКЦІЮ ПОЧАТКОВОГО ВИГЛЯДУ ТРОЇЦЬКОЇ НАДБРАМНОЇ ЦЕРКВИ КИЄВО-ПЕЧЕРСЬКОЇ ЛАВРИ

Вивчення будівельної еволюції Троїцької надбрамної церкви Києво-Печерської лаври охоплює багато важливих аспектів, що потребують серйозних архітектурних, археологічних та бібліографічних досліджень. Насамперед це виявлення і аналіз фактів, які б могли відповісти на питання про час її будівництва та початкове функціональне призначення. Висновки та припущення, подані в статті, вперше ґрунтуються не тільки на матеріалах із літературних та графічних джерел, а насамперед на натурних дослідженнях та візуальному обстеженні Троїцької надбрамної церкви. Спираючись на матеріали наукових архітектурних та археологічних досліджень, аналізуючи результати візуального обстеження, автор доходить висновку, що початково Троїцька надбрамна церква будувалася у єдиній оборонній лінії Печерського монастиря, як захисна споруда. Вона поєднувала в собі дві функції: культову і оборонну. Спочатку до неї підходила оборонна стіна у вигляді стовп’я, яку у другій половині ХІІ ст. було замінено на кам’яний мур. Саме з бойового рівня цих оборонних стін початково здійснювався вихід на другий оборонний поверх захисної башти над головною проїзною монастирською брамою. Спираючись на виявлені під час натурних досліджень беззаперечні факти (залишки будівельних конструкцій, їх конфігурацію та розташування), автор стверджує, що початково Троїцька надбрамна церква будувалася як оборонна триповерхова башта. На першому поверсі башти, в її центральній частині був проїзд, а у бокових частинах – господарські приміщення та оборонні бойові настили для захисту монастиря під час облоги. Другий поверх сполучався з бойовими рівнями прилеглих захисних монастирських стін та третім бойовим поверхом башти. Перекриття над другим поверхом башти – плоскі дерев’яні по дерев’яних балках та цегляних арках. На обстеження стін із метою пошуку початкових гнізд від дерев’яного перекриття між імовірними другим і третім початковими поверхами. третьому поверсі башти розташовувалася маленька Троїцька церква. Церква мала один неф і одну апсиду. У статті представлені гіпотетичні реконструкції планів поверхів, загальних виглядів фасадів та розрізів Троїцької надбрамної церкви на початковий будівельний період. Зважаючи на неможливість застосування традиційних методів наукових архітектурних натурних досліджень безпосередньо в інтер’єрі Троїцької церкви, автор пропонує застосувати прилади георадарної зйомки для обстеження стін із метою пошуку початкових гнізд від дерев’яного перекриття між імовірними другим і третім початковими поверхами.

Церковний спів у Києво-Печерській лаврі в українській історіографії

У статті здійснено історіографічний аналіз досліджень українських науковців Маценка П., Шамаєвої К., Болгарського Д., Костюк Н., Савченко І., Ткаченка О., які працювали над відновленням історії церковного співу у Києво-Печерській лаврі. Досліджено їх основні публікації з цього питання та з’ясовано, що найбільше уваги приділялося лаврському розспіву, а саме: історії його виникнення, створення нотних видань Ірмолоїв та Обіходів, виконання хором півчих і поширення по усій Російській імперії. Зроблено висновки, що лаврський розспів став унікальним музичним надбанням свого часу, яким послуговується увесь православний світ до сьогодні, а дослідження церковного співу, як окремої теми в історичних працях, стає науковою потребою.

HOW MOSCOW COLONIZED KYIV-PECHERSK LAVRA. NEW PAGES TO THE HISTORY OF THE UKRAINIAN PRINTING OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE XVIIIth CENTURY.

The purpose of the article – on the basis of newly discovered archival materials, to analyze the complex conditions of book publishing activity of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra of the second half of the XVIIIth century under pressure from the censorship of the Russian imperial authorities, which led to the ultimate loss of independence of Lavra printing press. The Novelty of the Research. The main source of the research is a non-updated correspondence of the special authorized persons from Lavra monastic fraternity with the rector of Pechersk monastery, who were entrusted with various important cases of a legal, economic, educational character, in particular, to assert the independence of Pechersk printing. The Methodology of the Research. In the article the method of intellectual networks modelling, which gives an opportunity to look at the Ukrainian cultural world as a structure of intellectual networks, has been used on the materials of the correspondence. The Conclusions . Thus, the newly discovered archival materials attest to the censorship of the Russian imperial power, which sought to deprive finally Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra of its opposition and originality in book publishing. In order to preserve the ancient freedom of the press, the monastery's management sent to the capital cities of the Russian Empire special authorized persons, who performed the functions of monastic lawyers. The letters of Lavra commissioners to Pechersk Archimandrite Zosym Valkevych attest to their efforts to defend the independence of Lavra printing, in which, however, they could not succeed under conditions of the Russian centralism under the rule of Catherine II. By the act of secularization of the monastery lands in 1786, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was subordinated to the direct care of the Metropolitan of Kyiv, to whom the Synod transferred all control over printing in Lavra printing house. In this way, Lavra lost its main right of stauropegia, and Pechersk printing house finally lost its independence in book publishing.

Peculiarities of the Ensemble Construction’s Formation of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (the 2nd half XVII–XVIII Centuries)

The aim of the study is to find out the peculiarities of the formation of the ensemble construction’s formation of the Кyiv-Pechersk Lavra in the 2nd half XVIII–XVIII centuries. The methodology is based on the use of general and special methods, including the historical method in a systematic approach, when the ensemble of monuments as an object of study is considered in development, as well as a comparative method, analysis and synthesis. The scientific novelty of the study is that the development of the stone building of the Кyiv-Pechersk Lavra ensemble has been comprehensively analyzed, and its patterns and features have been identified. The findings and conclusions of the study . For the period of the 2nd floor. XVII–XVIII centuries a characteristic method was the completion of temples and monastery ensembles of the upper edges of the high riverbanks. This variant of interaction between architecture, natural terrain and water bodies was the most effective, because such components of the natural landscape were the most expressive. In cases where the riverbank was high, the monastery complex could develop on several levels, terraced.The church buildings were located at different levels along the slope of the steep bank. At the same time, the most significant objects – such as the Assumption Cathedral, the Great Bell Tower of the Lavra stood on the highest plane, surrounded by not so high and not so lavishly decorated churches and buildings, and other temples and buildings were located below. This provided a certain Orthodox hierarchy: the Assumption Cathedral – the Mother of God House is a unique temple and of significance for all the Eastern Orthodoxy and for Ukraine, both in history and architecture, so anyone who came to Кyiv from the side of the inclined left bank, immediately understood which temple in the Lavra was the main one: it was accentuated and located next to the baroque multi-tiered bell tower, which for centuries was the highest building in Кyiv.

The Impact of Underground Constructions on the State of the Monument of National Significance Cell (Building No. 4) of the National Kyiv-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Preserve

The aim of the study is to find out the problem of preservation of architectural monuments of the National Kyiv-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Preserve on the example of the cells of the Cathedral Elders (building No. 4). The research methods are based on the integrated use of general scientific and special methods, including observation, mapping, analysis, generalization, synthesis. The scientific novelty of the study is that for the first time, on the basis of monitoring, as an important means of providing information about the state of each monument and the dynamics of its changes in real time, the nature of deformations of a particular above-ground monument has been comprehensively analyzed, taking into account the presence of nearby underground structures within its foundations. The peculiarities of monitoring the monuments, the nature and the specificity of the professional tools of the monitors are considered, which ensures the effective accomplishment of these tasks. Conclusions. The presence of underground structures located within the foundations of the main part of the building does not significantly affect the activation of deformations. Underground structures located in the immediate vicinity of the walls of the building and sufficiently buried in the soil mass indirectly affect the deformation of the building structures. The main factors that lead to deformation of structures (waterlogging of the soil mass, direct infiltration of atmospheric precipitation, suffusion) and factors of influence (imperfect landscaping) are determined. In order to ensure the effective preservation of the complex diachronous above-ground architectural monuments with significant underground parts, peculiar to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, it is necessary to improve the landscaping of the territory, as well as to carry out constant monitoring, to systematize the restoration interventions with the obligatory accomplishment within the set terms of the complete complex of engineering, repair and restoration works.

THE HISTORY OF ART WORKSHOP AND TEMPLE CULTURE OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE

This article is dedicated to the studio of fine arts and temple culture in the context of the history of the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture. Analyzed was the educational program of the studio’s founder,M. Storozhenko. Discovered were the methodological analogies between the studio of monumental painting and templar culture of NAFAA, M. Boychuck’s art workshop and the icon-painting studio of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. It was proved that an analysis of historical experience can be useful in the educational process and in the upbringing of the modern painters of sacred (religious) art.

Numerical and experimental investigation of the cave passage model

The object of research is the soil model of the cave site, which approximates part of the underground structure of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Kyiv, Ukraine). Long-term operation of underground historical buildings in cramped conditions at 100% humidity and under the influence of aggressive influences of internal and external factors leads to the exhaustion of their structural reliability. When restoring historical objects, it is advisable to combine the residual resources together with local structural reinforcements. Thanks to this concept, the original state is restored, and the structures can still perform their functions for a long time in the existing environment. Such amplifications create strong and rigid cells that combine the object into a single whole.This approach was tested by full-scale testing of a model of a fragment of the underground passage of the Far Caves, made of sandy loam in full size. The studies were carried out on the basis of the Test Center for Building Structures of the Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture from 2012 to 2019. A technique for strengthening the soil mass with internal basalt reinforcement – flat frames – was developed. It was used in the restoration of certain sections of the underground structures of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. At the same time, numerous studies of the corresponding mathematical model were carried out with full-scale tests. A numerical-experimental approach to the analysis of the stress-strain state (SSS) of an underground structure model allows one to correctly determine the design parameters that will allow as close as possible to approximate a real underground structure.To increase the efficiency of using basalt reinforcement, the method of introducing individual rods into the damaged soil layer, which is under load, is investigated. Thus, it is proposed to use the reinforcements during the restoration of Variazhski caves of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, which received numerous damages in the form of vertical and inclined cracks in the ceiling and walls with soil outcrops.

DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL ENLIGHMENT AND PEDAGOGICAL ACTIVITY IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF UKRAINE AT THE KYIV-PECHERSK LAVRA IN THE 19TH-18TH CENTURIES

Development of educational - educational activities and training in higher educational institutions of Ukraine spiritual in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra began in the mid of the mid-nineteenth century. This was facilitated by the allocation of educational courses from the context of philosophy and moral theology, increased secular aspects of education and teaching pedagogical subjects and the requirement to prepare high-quality teachers. It was created by a number of manuals and textbooks that evaluated both contemporaries and the next generation of scientists, educators and teachers.History of education in the Ukrainian lands is primarily a history of the monastic institutions of education. Since the XVIІI century in Central Ukraine (Poltava, Pereyaslav, Chernihiv), the demand for high quality secular and religious education in accordance with the best European models. Cells of such education are training systems, "monastic monastery – Seminary", in particular in Poltava (Holy cross monastery Slavonic Seminary) and Pereyaslavl (ascension monastery – Seminary of Pereyaslav), which was formed by descendants of the Kyiv-Pechersk monastery and monastic monasteries. This testifies to the high scientific-pedagogical and organizational effectiveness in a difficult economic, social, political circumstances of the historical period and the territory of Central Ukraine educational complex "the monastery-Seminary" as centers of spirituality, education, mentality of the Ukrainian people. In fact, Holy cross and Poltava and Pereyaslavl Voznesensky Cathedral monasteries for their money, as earned by the monks, and secured charitable donations of the population, kept and developed original educational complexes, which included: the Seminary, the Seminary for courses, monastic library, a temple, a hospital, several parochial schools, United by a common concern about the appropriate level of education as spiritual persons, and secular population of the region.

Description of Νecropolis in “The Commoners’ Council”: Issue of Sources

Both in the magazine publication of 1846 (“Kyivan Pilgrims of the 17th Century”) and in the Russian 1857 version of “The Commoners’ Council” Panteleimon Kulish claimed that the epitaphs from the Assumption Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra were taken from Afanasii Kalnofoyskyi’s “Teraturgema” (1638) and translated into Russian. However, the comparison of the texts shows that the translations were actually taken from Mykhailo Maksymovych’s paper “On Tombstones in Pechersk Monastery” (1840). Other quotations with references to the “Teraturgema” were borrowed from the work of metropolitan bishop Yevhenii (Bolkhovitinov) “Description of Kyiv Perchersk Lavra” (1826).
 The Kyivan episodes of “The Commoners’ Council” were mainly based on two Maksymovych’s papers from “Kiievlianin” (“The Kyivan”) almanac (1840), the aforementioned one and “Overview of Old Kyiv”. Kulish did not mention any of these sources in the novel’s footnotes. This fact should be considered in the context of the system of references that the writer built in “The Commoners’ Council”. Unlike many authors who worked in Walter Scott tradition, Kulish didn’t use footnotes in “The Commoners’ Council” in order to acknowledge and justify certain anachronisms and time distortions.
 The writer referred to the testimonies of the witnesses of historical events, even after he had received an information from the people of the 19th century (Shevchenko, for instance), to the folkloric texts, and his own observations. The works of historians were important for him as far as they offered published collections of the authentic documents, but not as the sources of concepts. No intermediaries could stand between the historian novelist and the depicted age.

Improvement of the Engineering Protection Systems of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve Territory

Improvement of the Engineering Protection Systems of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve Territory

Вдосконалення інженерного захисту території заповідника "Києво-Печерська лавра"

Вдосконалення інженерного захисту території заповідника "Києво-Печерська лавра"

MONITORING AND PRESERVATION OF THE KYIV PECHERSK LAVRA CAVES

Abstract. The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is a unique monastery complex included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The first mentions of the caves in the chronicles date back to the year 1051. The idea of creating a 3D model of Lavra’s caves was suggested by the Kiev Pechersk Lavra coenobites with the aim to attract public attention to the problem of preserving the Lavra Caves for future generations. It consists of an above-ground part (a complex of religious buildings) and an underground part (caves). The caves form a system of underground corridors subdivided into several parts – the Near Caves, the Far Caves, and the Varangian Caves. Today the caves are in an emergency state and need urgent restoration. Results presented in the paper comprise all steps of the 3D model of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra caves creation. At the first step, a spatial underground geodetic network for scans georeferencing was created. Totally over 60 stations with quite short distances from 2 m up to 15 m, with many open traverses were measured. Terrestrial laser scanning for over than 450 m tunnels and entrance structures has been performed. At the last step, data processing and modelling have been done with a result in the form of plans, cross-sections and TIN model of the whole complex. The paper devoted to features of those works and prospective applications of the results.

Time and communicative code of pilgrimage to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (the second half of the 18th century)

The article deals with the time and communicative characteristics of pilgrimage to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in the second half of the 18th century. The analysis of material donations made by pilgrims during the mid-70’s - the mid-80’s of the 18th century, allowed to identify two waves of pilgrimage activity: the first was made in May-June and the second – in August, which coincided with the activity of visiting other holy places of Kyiv. It was found out that in the Near and Far Caves pilgrims left donations: near relics; for sending prayers and typing into the list; wallet money and money for sprinkling; money for candles. In addition, in the Near Caves they gave offering near the exit from the cave labyrinth. It was established that the all sums grew during the peak of pilgrimage activity, but the proportionality between them varied throughout the year. The following categories of donations competed for the championship: in the month of less pilgrimage activity, the largest donations were collected for the sending of prayers and typing into the list. However, in the months, when the pilgrimage activity was high, the biggest share of the collected donates came from the relics.Different types of money donations allowed us to establish that communication around the relics of the reverend Fathers of the Caves was made through their direct honoring through worship and kissing, as well as through the order of the prayers and the recording into the cave list, sprinkling with holy water and probably drinking water from the cross of Reverend Mark Pechernik in the Near Caves.Taking into consideration the needs of the pilgrims, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, equipping space around the shrines, corresponded to the specified set of “services” so that communication around the relics of the Reverend Fathers of the Caves provided to the pilgrims a sense of close contact with the relics and formed their religiosity.Keywords: pilgrimage, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, 18th century.