The Cathedral of Saint Sophia is one of the most remarkable monuments of Kyivan Rus. Built by Yaroslav the Wise (r. 1019–1054) sometime before 1037 in the historic center of Kyiv, the building features methods of constructions and designs, as well as decorative programs characteristic of Byzantine churches.
Saint Sophia was built on a cross-in-square core surrounded by barrel-vaulted aisles with galleries above, a tripartite apse, and additional chapels facing east. The exterior pyramidal arrangement culminates in the central dome above the naos, which rises 29 meters in height. Intricately designed and monumental in scale, the cathedral was meant to impress and inspire, while prominently marking the skyline of medieval Kyiv.
The interior of Saint Sophia was richly decorated with marble panels and fresco cycles in the lower portions, and vibrant mosaics in the upper sections. Icons and other liturgical furnishings were also present throughout the interior. The main dome carries a large mosaic of Christ Pantokrator surrounded by angels, with images of the apostles and the four evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) on the drum of the dome and the pendentives below, respectively. A frontal Virgin Mary (Oranta) stands in the apse against a gold background, while below unfolds a detailed representation of the Communion of the Apostles. This scene – a liturgical interpretation of the Last Supper – was meant to visualize the activities unfolding at the altar for the faithful assembled in the naos.
The Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Kyiv demonstrates the local reworkings of Byzantine church building and decorating traditions, which have inspired its architectural features, decorations, rituals, and also its dedication to Holy Wisdom. The church emulates, most notably, the famous Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (now Istanbul). The current appearance of Saint Sophia in Kyiv, however, differs markedly from its medieval version. The cathedral was significantly expanded and restored, especially during the seventeenth century, in a style known as Ukrainian Baroque.
About a week after Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the media circulated information about a missile strike that the Russians were planning to launch on the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, targeting the history and culture of Ukraine. Fortunately, the monument still stands and its cultural value endures.