St. Andrew’s Church opens in Kyiv after major restoration

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St. Andrew’s Church in Kyiv – a UNESCO World Heritage Site

11 Years of Unprecedented Restoration Works

St. Andrew’s Church in Kyiv is a world-renowned architectural monument and UNESCO World Heritage site. It is part of the National Reserve “Sophia of Kyiv” and has been a museum since 1968.

The church belongs to the state, but since 2018, it has been partially transferred to the use of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Now, following its transfer to Constantinople, the temple will serve a new purpose: as the official representative office of Patriarch Bartholomew in the Ukrainian capital.

In December 2020, St.Andrew’s Church was finally opened after almost 11 years of major restoration. Such unprecedented work was done for the first time in the history of the church.

The process of restoration of the famous baroque monument started in 2009. It took place in three stages: reinforcement of the basement on the hill, restoration of external facades, and work on interiors.

Simultaneously with the work on the facades, for the first time, a restoration of the cast-iron stairs leading to the church porch was undertaken. Each step was dismantled, restored, and returned to its original place after the repair and strengthening work.

On the route of my Kyiv Old Town Tour, we will visit with you St.Andrew’s Hill, where the church stands. From the observation deck of St. Andrew’s Church opens one of the most breathtaking views of the city of Kyiv.

Restoration of the Exterior of St.Andrew’s Church in Kyiv

After the external fortifications, restorers began to work with the facades of the temple. Scientists sought to recreate as closely as possible to the authentic project of the 18th century. The architect of the church, Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli designed it together with the Mariinsky Palace. Therefore, the two glorious constructions are similar in style.

The restoration works of the exterior started in 2015 and lasted two years. In October 2016, the third stage of restoration work of the interior began. And this time, the church was closed to visitors and parishioners for 5 years.

For the first time in history, in St. Andrew’s Church, the throne was restored, which symbolizes the place of the installation of the cross by the Apostle Andrew on St. Andrew’s Hill in the 1st century AD.

The restorers made an incredible effort to bring back the church’s original wall colors. During the work, they uncovered 13 layers of later paint that had concealed the authentic surface for centuries.

The restorers carried out impressive work, literally ‘digging’ through 13 layers of paint with scalpels. In doing so, they revealed the original wall colors, painted according to Rastrelli’s design.

Unique Iconostasis of St.Andrew’s Church in Kyiv

A surprise from the restorators of the Soviet-era

Six art restorers worked on the icons of the iconostasis for three years, involving highly experienced craftsmen and top-category specialists. During the restoration, the team received a surprise from their Soviet-era predecessors: they discovered that the sequence of icons in the iconostasis was arranged in an uncanonical order.

An archival photo from pre-Soviet times revealed the authentic appearance of the iconostasis, making it clear that the icons today were placed in the wrong order.

It turned out that during the repair works in the 1950s, restorers did not go into details of canonicity and placed icons after repair in the “wrong” frames only because some of them fit the size. Thirteen of the thirty-nine icons in the iconostasis had been misplaced.

Today, the iconostasis has been restored to the exact form envisioned by Rastrelli and first realized by the artists of St. Petersburg. During the work, it was also discovered that two crosses from the iconostasis had disappeared, most likely removed during Soviet times. The restorers have now returned these crosses to their rightful places.

Paintings on the Walls of St.Andrew’s Church

In total, the church houses 68 icons from the mid-18th century and two large 19th-century paintings.

One of them, The Sermon of Apostle Andrew, was created by the Ukrainian artist Platon Boryspolets and presented on the centenary of the church’s consecration 150 years ago. The painting, executed in Paris, was part of the artist’s application project to the Paris Academy of Arts.

Among the highlights of St. Andrew’s Church in Kyiv is the striking painting The Choice of Religion by Prince Volodymyr by Latvian artist Egginka, displayed above the staircase leading into the main hall.

This 19th-century masterpiece depicts the pivotal moment when Prince Volodymyr of Kyiv chose to convert his people to Christianity—an event that profoundly shaped the cultural and religious identity of Ukraine.

The painting is a true masterpiece, distinguished by its intricate details and vibrant colors that immediately capture the viewer’s attention. It stands as one of the most renowned works in the church and serves as a testament to Ukraine’s rich artistic heritage.

To enhance the church’s lighting and allow visitors to fully appreciate the beauty of its interior décor, a special system of lamps was installed, highlighting the main elements of the interior.

As part of the final stage of restoration, lighting candles inside the church during services is now prohibited. This measure was introduced to protect the church’s delicate and intricate interior decoration.

Visitors to St. Andrew’s Church can now admire its stunning beauty without the risks once associated with candlelight during services. The new lighting system not only enhances visibility but also safeguards the church’s historical and cultural treasures for future generations.

Pearl of Baroque Architecture in Kyiv

St. Andrew’s Church is an 18th-century baroque masterpiece and a true jewel of Ukrainian heritage, holding a special place in the world of architecture. Carefully restored, it continues to leave a profound impression on visitors from across the globe.

Its magnificent exterior and richly decorated interior are breathtaking, and the experience of stepping inside is unforgettable. Be sure to visit St. Andrew’s Church and witness its unique beauty for yourself.

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About the author:

Hello and welcome! My name is Victoria, and I’m a private tour guide in Kyiv. Since 2016, I have been offering private tours on various topics for visitors to the capital of Ukraine. I speak fluent English and love sharing stories. When not guiding, I write about Ukraine on my blog and my travel experiences and insights in Sweden and the Baltics.