The patron saint and symbol of Kyiv, St. Michael the Archangel, was replaced by other figures during communism, but devotion to the Archangel is part of Ukraine’s origins.
Newsroom (11/10/2022 12:00 PM, Gaudium Press) At a time when the world’s attention is focused on what is happening in Ukraine, one cannot help but notice the numerous monuments in the capital, Kyiv.
Among them is the Independence monument, a column that at the top of its 61 meters has a golden sculpture of Berehynia, a character from Slavic mythology and symbol of Ukrainian patriotism.
Equally notable is the image of St. Michael the Archangel that stands above the Liadski Gate in front of the Independence monument.
The Liadski Gate was built in 2001 and the St. Michael the Archangel made of bronze and gold, has been on top of the monument since 2002.
Indeed, in 1969, the Soviet regime replaced the figure of St. Michael the Archangel with the chestnut leaf. In 1995, after independence, St. Michael began to be reintroduced as a symbol of Kyiv.
On the Liadski Gate, there was previously the chestnut leaf. It was preferred, however, to replace it with an image of the Warrior Angel, Patron Saint of the Ukrainian capital.
The devotion to St. Michael the Archangel is said to date back to the founding of the city of Kyiv around 882, and in the 16th century heraldry took up the image of the Archangel as the official symbol of the Principality of Kyiv.
Besides being represented in Slavic heraldry and having a monument in his honor, the capital of Ukraine counts among its most important buildings the Cathedral of St. Michael of the Golden Domes, the official seat of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Destroyed in 1930 by the Soviets, the cathedral was rebuilt in 1991 on the occasion of the country’s independence. (FM)
Compiled by Teresa Joseph
