The story of Askold's grave in Kiev. Church of St. Nicholas on Askold's grave

One of the most important places for history in Kiev is the church of St. Nicholas. Its origin is closely connected with the history of Askold's grave. A lot of mysteries and legends are connected with this place. Visit the walls of this monument of history will be interesting for everyone. After all, with Ascold's mound, many historical facts are connected, and many legends are retold.

Askold's grave

Now Askold's burial mound is located in a parkland on the right bank of the Dnieper. Many centuries ago this area was known as the Ugric tract. According to legend, in 882 near the place the first Christian ruler of Kiev, Prince Askold, was killed. Together with him, his brother Deer was also killed. Both of them were killed by the hands of foreign prince Oleg (Rurikovich). After the death of his brothers, Oleg became a full-fledged ruler of Kievan Rus. Askold and Dir were buried on the site of their death.

According to historical sources, Askold rightfully had to lead Kievan Rus. There is evidence that the prince was baptized in Tsargrad. When he was baptized, he was given the name of Nicholas.

Many historians have questioned the fact of killing brothers, claiming that these are just folk legends. However Askold's grave in Kiev is considered the place of rest of the Kiev princes and nearby even has a small chapel.

Church of St. Nicholas

Over Askold's grave in Kiev was built the church of St. Nicholas. Its name was chosen in honor of the prince's name at baptism. There are two legends about the creation of the church on Askold's grave. There is a version that Princess Olga herself took part in the creation of the temple.

The second version says that, according to the mistake made by the chronicler, the word "Olma" was accidentally replaced with "Olga". Some scholars propose the version that the pagan Olma or Olmosh became the founder of the church. He was a commander of a detachment of Hungarians, who were passing Kiev in the 9th century. For him was given the daughter of Svyatopolk, who was called Predslava. Being in exile for a long time, Olmosh could build a church in honor of his wedding.

In 971 the son of Princess Olga, Prince Svyatoslav, destroyed the church of St. Nicholas on Askold's grave. He was a pagan and therefore was engaged in eradicating the relics of Christianity in his lands.

However, in 990 the church was rebuilt by the order of Prince Vladimir. In 1036 a women's monastery was founded here.

The Legend of Prince Mstislav

There is another legend with which Askold's grave is associated. Legend has it that in 1113 the son of Vladimir Monomakh Mstislav Vladimirovich was returning home with a hunt. The prince lost his way in the dark forest. It turned out that he was driving along the road where the Askold Kurgan is now in Kiev, and he saw a light emanating from the image of St. Nicholas. This ray showed the prince the way home.

From the translated sources, historians know that thanks to his miraculous return, Mstislav founded the men's monastery in 1115 on the site of the nunnery. It was here that Feodosy, the founder of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, lived his last years.

A few years later, in the place where Askold's grave is located, a chapel was built. Her light guided the travelers along the right path.

The further construction of the temple

The oldest image of the church of St. Nicholas is found on the plane of Kalfalofsky. It was a wooden church with three buildings.

In 1696 the complex was rebuilt, and in its composition were added two more buildings. Ivan Mazepa paid for the construction . The project was designed by the architect Joseph Startsev.

In 1810, the chief architect of Kiev built a small church on the site of Askold's grave. It had 2 floors and a throne. Underneath it was a burial vault, which is famous for its unique beauty icons from Carrara marble and gold. This exposition presents to all those who wish Askold's grave in Kiev. History claims that the images were painted by Vasnetsov. The beautiful greenhouse in this church was the creation of the hands of the gardener Raphael. There were planned tracks, 9 terraces for burials, as well as stairs and crossings.

Soviet time

During the Soviet era, the church was destroyed. The cemetery was converted to an entertainment park. In 1936 a restaurant was opened here. In 1938 the architect P. Yurchenko rebuilt the church into a park pavilion.

The glory and beauty of the former necropolis was only a memory. Only the old-timers of the city still remembered the former greatness of this place.

In 1979, together with the opening of the city historical museum of Kiev, began to restore the temple. The exhibition center was made here. And in 1985, the museum staff calculated the full plan for recreating this historical and spiritual relic.

Restoring the Temple

Of the mass of the submitted plans and projects for the restoration of the historic complex, one was selected, which corresponded to the church in 1810. The project assumed the creation of an exposition in the cellars of the church of St. Nicholas, revealing historical data on the necropolis. It was supposed to change the nearby territories. The project of Kiev architects was called "Historical locality: Askold's grave".

However, funding was not enough to conduct all the necessary work at the right time. In 1992, because of the inability to continue the restoration work, the Orthodox church was given to the Greek Catholic diocese of the city.

In 1998, the restoration came to its logical conclusion, and Askold's grave (the photo of the restored church can be considered below) became a place of pilgrimage for many Orthodox Christians.

Consecration of a new church

The well-known architect Vladimir Khromchenko was the restoration of the complex. All works were completed by 1998. Photo Ascold's grave in its current form is presented below.

In the basement of the church, a church dedicated to the memory of Pope St. Sylvester was created.

The consecration took place on May 22, 1998. The new church of St. Nicholas became famous thanks to a personal visit by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Kiev in 2001.

Askold's Cemetery

Since 1976, the territory of the temple was returned under graves. Here are the remains of the famous princes of Kiev.

Since 1945, the land where Askold's grave is located in Kiev, has become the burial place of the dead liberators of the city from the German invaders. During the Great Patriotic War, German soldiers were buried here, but after 1944 their bodies were transported to another place. And in 1957 the remains of Soviet soldiers were also reburied in the Park of Eternal Glory.

Now, as in former times, there is a necropolis in which famous residents of the city, actors, doctors, architects, military men and composers are buried. Among the modern celebrities are the remains of such people as Lashkevich AS (Ukrainian historian), Nestorov PN (pilot), Nikolaev VN (architect of Kiev), Solovtsov NN (actor, director), Glebova M.M. (actress), Mehring F.F. (outstanding physician), Tarnovsky V.V. (Maecenas), A.Shile (architect), Shleifer GP (architect).

How to get to Askold's burial mound

The address of the historical complex now has the coordinates: Dnieper descent, Parkovaya road. The territory is open around the clock.

It is not difficult to get to Askold's grave on foot. No means of transport go by the Dnieper descent. Start the route better from the Glory Square. It is located near the metro station "Arsenalnaya". It is also quite easy to get to the square on the 38th trolleybus. The stop is called the Glory Park. From there to the desired place is the bus number 62.

Having reached the territory of the park of Askold's burial mound, visitors find themselves in the ancient atmosphere of secrets, legends and legends connected with this place. After all, it is not for nothing that it beckons to both Kiev and visitors of the city. Many historical writers and poets chanted this historical complex. In the works of Taras Shevchenko there are stories about Askold's burial mound. The author of many works Zagorsky wrote a novel about the area. On the basis of this work was created the opera by Verestovsky.

Also near the Askold's Hill is a monument to Andrew the First-named, included in the number of sacred monuments connected with the history of Kiev.

Arriving in one of the most remarkable and rich in its history cities of Ukraine - Kiev, you should definitely visit its sights. One of the most famous spiritual and cultural monuments is the Askold's Grave Park. Visiting the church of St. Nicholas, as well as the territory of the necropolis, visitors find themselves in the ancient, mysterious reality of the past centuries. The memory of visiting this place will remain for many years for every guest.