St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, Kyiv Ukraine

St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery is an active monastery in Kyiv, reconstructed in 1997–1998 to replicate the form of the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, which had been destroyed in the 1930s. The complex also includes a refectory with the Church of St. John the Theologian (1713) and a bell tower (built 1716–1719, destroyed in the 1930s, and restored in 1997–1998). The original church dedicated to the Archangel Michael was commissioned in 1108 by Prince Sviatopolk Iziaslavych (baptized Michael) on the site of the St. Demetrius Monastery, which had presumably been built by his father, Iziaslav Yaroslavych (baptized Demetrius). Erected between 1108 and 1113, St. Michael's Cathedral held special significance for the people of Kyiv, as it was dedicated to the Archangel Michael—the city's heavenly patron. In the 12th century, the monastery served as a burial place for princes. It is believed that a monastery was established alongside the church at that same time. Since ancient times, the church has borne the name "Golden-Domed," likely because it was the only church of that era with a gilded dome. Tradition also attributes to Sviatopolk's reign the 1108 transfer from Constantinople to Kyiv of the monastery's principal relic: the relics of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara. Under Sviatopolk Iziaslavych (1093–1113), the fortifications of the capital city were expanded through the construction of a new earthen rampart that encompassed St. Michael's Monastery as well.