Volunteers and clergy have joined efforts to restore Kyiv’s historic Dormition Cathedral following damage inflicted by a Russian drone strike in June. The incident, part of a broader attack on Ukraine’s capital, damaged one of the cathedral’s golden domes and ignited a fire that affected the roof, though the interior largely escaped severe destruction.
The Dormition Cathedral is a central structure within the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a sprawling monastery complex located on a hill overlooking the Dnipro River. Established in the 11th century, the site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a significant pilgrimage destination. The preserve features numerous churches, monastic buildings, and catacombs containing the relics of approximately 120 saints.
The cause behind the drone strike remains unclear, including whether the cathedral was a deliberate target. However, the damage prompted a swift response from the local community. Volunteers—including parishioners, military veterans, and charity workers—answered the call from monastic leaders to help clean and prepare the grounds for the monastery’s 975th anniversary celebration, held in August and attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky and other dignitaries.
Abbot Makariy, 45, who leads the nearby St. Theodosius Monastery and is involved in asserting control over the preserve for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, was among the first to witness the fire. He captured footage of the burning cathedral from an adjacent bell tower, expressing shock and sorrow. The cathedral’s recent reconstruction was itself the product of a significant effort, having been rebuilt in 2000 after being destroyed during World War II.
Despite the fire and water damage from firefighting efforts, many valuable artifacts were saved, including the ornate gilded iconostasis—the largest in Ukraine—and a silver coffin containing a relic of St. Stephen, now housed in a nearby museum building. Officials from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra preserve indicated that the Ukrainian culture ministry is considering constructing a more resilient roof to protect the cathedral from winter weather, contingent on funding availability.
The restoration initiative involved clearing overgrown gardens, removing debris, and intensive cleaning of the cathedral’s interior. Volunteers worked over several days, tending to courtyards and pathways while others attended to interior surfaces, ensuring the site’s readiness for the anniversary events. Some military veterans participating have been encouraged to use the monastery grounds as a space for refuge and healing amid ongoing conflict.
Community members underscored the symbolic importance of preserving the historic site during challenging times. “We need to prove, perhaps to ourselves above all, that with God’s help we can overcome anything,” said Liudmyla Balashova, a Kyiv business director and volunteer who took part in the clean-up efforts.
The monastery itself has become a focal point amid tensions between monks loyal to the Moscow Orthodox Patriarchate and those aligned with the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, reflecting larger spiritual and political divides intensified by the conflict. Despite these challenges, efforts to restore and maintain the Dormition Cathedral continue as both a religious and cultural landmark in Kyiv.