Devotion to St. Michael

One of the most prominent statues in the Ukraine capital’s Independence Square is a powerful image of St. Michael the Archangel, watching over the city of Kyiv. The bronze and gold statue was placed atop the Lach Gates in 2002, a decision that matches the devotion to St. Michael that the people of Kyiv have had over the centuries. One of the most recognized buildings in Kyiv is the “Golden-Domed” Monastery of St. Michael, built in 1108 and dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. It is said that St. Michael, patron of soldiers, was chosen at the time to honor military victories during the 12th century. During the early 20th century, the monastery and church was destroyed, and it wasn’t until the 1990s that work began to restore St. Michael’s Monastery and create the new Golden Domes that are visible today. 

The Monastery of St Michael in Kyiv, Ukraine.

The building’s “resurrection” was seen by some people as a miracle. This revival of St. Michael’s Monastery is a miracle of God, for when the church was destroyed, no one even believed that it would rise from the ruins. This witnesses that the Lord can even revive his shrine from ashes is a witnessing to the unconquered spiritual strength of the Ukrainian people. Furthermore, St. Michael was featured prominently on the seals of Kievan grand princes and then on the coat of arms of the city of Kyiv since the 17th century. When the city voted on a new coat of arms in 1995, they restored the original design featuring St. Michael the Archangel.