Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine commemorated the 25th anniversary of the restoration of the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral with a heartfelt post on social media, calling the historic church a powerful symbol of Ukraine’s spiritual renewal, national dignity, and struggle for freedom.
“Traditionally, every year on the last Sunday of May, on Kyiv Day, we honor the feast of the Restoration of the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral in our capital,” wrote Metropolitan Epifaniy. “And now, in just a few days, it will be a quarter of a century since this majestic, manmade shrine—revived from ruins and ashes—rose again, marking a very important chapter in the modern history of the Ukrainian Church, the Ukrainian state, and the Ukrainian people.”
Reflecting on the past, Metropolitan Epifaniy shared a personal memory: “It’s hard to believe 25 years have already passed. As a student then at the Kyiv Theological Seminary and later the Academy, I had the great fortune to witness and take part in that historic process of the Cathedral’s revival.”
The Metropolitan emphasized the tragic erasure the site had suffered under Soviet rule. “Few ordinary citizens of Kyiv even knew that the foundations of the once-destroyed Ukrainian shrine still existed,” he said. “For over half a century, there was only ruin and emptiness. The Soviet authorities did everything they could to prevent the restoration of faith, truth, and memory.”
“But by God’s Providence, the outcome was different,” he added. “The Kremlin’s godless hatred once tore down this Ukrainian sanctuary in an attempt to bury our ancient roots, our proud history, our faith and prayer beneath the rubble. Yet it was love and truth that brought it back to life.”
The reborn St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral, located in the heart of Kyiv, now stands as a sacred and visible symbol of renewal and continuity. “It preserves the spiritual legacy of the ancient golden-domed cathedral on this blessed, prayer-soaked, historic site,” said the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
He reminded readers of the prophecy of Saint Andrew the First-Called: “On these hills shall shine the grace of God; a great city will arise, and many churches will God raise here.”
“This cathedral is a symbol of rebirth, new life, continuity, and spirituality,” Metropolitan Epifaniy declared. “Its restoration marked the starting point of a new chapter in Ukraine’s story. It is a living testament to the inseparable bond between our Church and our nation.”
St. Michael’s is also central to preserving the memory of Ukraine’s modern-day heroes and is the main cathedral of the united Orthodox Church of Ukraine. “With it is inseparably linked the history of our people’s fight for dignity, truth, and freedom,” he stressed.
Metropolitan Epifaniy concluded his message with an invitation and a prayer: “Let us celebrate together this Sunday the 25th anniversary of the restoration of the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral—with a solemn Divine Liturgy and a united, all-Ukrainian prayer for our people, our state, our Church, for victory over the enemy, and for the establishment of a just peace in Ukraine.
O Great and One God, protect our Ukraine!”
