Cover «First Day. Ukrainian carols in Kyiv-Pechersk lavra»

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The postal issue "Ukrainian Koliadky in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" is dedicated to a historic event – the anniversary of the first Christmas liturgy held by the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in the Assumption Cathedral of the Monastery of the Caves Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The Assumption Cathedral and the Church of the reverend Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves with the Refectory Church were returned to the state of Ukraine in early 2023. The first liturgy in the cathedral was led by Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine. He called the service a historic moment for Ukrainians who have been striving and dreaming about it for decades and expressed his confidence in Ukraine's victory in the war with russia, because: "...the truth is on the side of the Ukrainian people, and in the truth and with the truth is God Almighty, who gives victory." The Christmas service at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra ended with the performance of Ukrainian carols Koliadky. This year, the Assumption Cathedral celebrates its 950th anniversary. Built in 1073–1078, the cathedral has undergone several significant reconstructions in its history until it took on the style of Ukrainian Baroque in the early eighteenth century. In 1941, the cathedral was destroyed by an explosion and rebuilt in 2000. The postal issue images (created by artist Mykolai Kochubey) tell the unique story of the main Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Cathedral – from its foundation to its restoration, about the monastic traditions established by Rev. Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves and about the return of the shrine to the Ukrainian people after many years of occupation by moscow priests.

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