On Monday, February 20, the eve of the anniversary of the Russian invasion, all roads in the center of Kyiv were suddenly blocked. A particularly disturbing atmosphere reigned in the Golden Dome Monastery of St. Michael, which is the main cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Judging by the unprecedented security arrangements, an important guest was expected. Rumors varied, but no one knew exactly who would arrive.
Priest Ivan Sidor.
Photo from personal archive
Priest Ivan Sidor sensed that it would be a very special person. But when he saw US President Joe Biden with his own eyes, priest Ivan Sidor was surprised – he was moved by the courage of an overseas leader to come to the capital of a war-torn country.
St. Michael’s Monastery was the first place in Kyiv visited by Biden. Ivan explains that since 2014 there has been a wall of memories with photos of Ukrainians who died in the military conflict. This place is now visited by all foreign delegations. “The cathedral also plays an important role in the history of Ukraine,” explains the priest. “The monastery began to be built in 1108, the most important events have always taken place here during the existence of Kievan Rus’. In 1937, it was blown up by the Soviet Bolsheviks, because the cathedral was the center of Ukrainian spirituality and culture. During the self-esteem revolution, here from the special unit Berkut the protesters were hiding. The Heavenly Centurion, who was shot during the protests, is also buried here.”
The monastery also played an important role in Ivan’s own life. When security forces tried to disperse protesters in the city center in December 2013, he decided to wake up the capital with cathedral bells. At that time, Ivan was a deacon and a doctoral student at the Academy of Theology. His actions actually helped to keep the protestors in line, as hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of the capital’s residents, hearing the alarm, came to help in the middle of the night.
Similar bells rang in Kyiv as early as 1240, when priests informed the city’s inhabitants about the Mongol-Tatar invasion.
Ivan now serves as a priest in another important church, St. Sophia’s Cathedral, located across from St. Michael’s Monastery. He is also secretary-rapporteur of the Metropolitan of Kyiv of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is why he occasionally has the opportunity to meet distinguished guests.
Ivan reminds that Biden visited the monastery earlier to express his support for the Ukrainians. It was in April 2014, when Russia had launched a hybrid war in Donbass and annexed Crimea. But the recent visit is truly historic — the first by a US leader in Kyiv in 15 years and a clear signal to Putin that the world is not afraid of his threats and will support Ukraine to victory.
“The American president walked on the territory of the monastery together with the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine welcomed them in the cathedral. It was an interesting moment when Biden approached the icon The cleansing of the Lord. A few seconds existed, perhaps counting a prayer. This moment was very symbolic, because the word “cleansing” in Church Slavonic also means “meeting” – the Golden Dome welcomed such an important guest at a difficult moment.”
The priest was surprised by Biden’s modesty and the relatively small number of guards – they did not even prevent those present from taking photos and filming. The father also noticed that the President of the United States did not respond at all to the air raid siren that started wailing after the President had left the cathedral. “Judging by Biden’s calm facial expression and demeanor, it seemed that he has been living in this atmosphere together with all Ukrainians for a year. I thought the security would take the presidents to safety immediately. But nothing like that happened – the two leaders continued the conversation as if nothing had happened.”
As Biden left, Ivan returned to his office.
The priest adds that since February 24 of last year, the number of soldiers who come to the churches to pray has increased significantly. Before that, it was rare to see men in military uniform at church services, but now almost every liturgy has boys and girls in camouflage clothing.
Ivan believes that the war will end and Ukraine will win, because “we are not attacking, but defending the freedom that God has given to every nation”.
* Series of articles Voices of the Ukrainian War available in open access thanks to AS Latvian Veneer for support. #TogetherForUkraine
