After the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the Kiev residential area Belichi began to be actively developed to provide apartments for displaced people from Pripyat, Chernobyl and the exclusion zone. After some time, the settlers, liquidators and members of their families turned to the state administration with a request to somehow perpetuate the memory of the victims. In 1994, at the intersection of Pobeda Avenue and Chernobyl Street, a monument “to the dead, to the living, and to the unborn” was erected and consecrated. Since then, every year on April 26, in addition to traditional requiem rallies, there has been a prayer for those who gave their lives fighting the consequences of the disaster. It was then that the idea was born to build a church nearby.
They decided to name the future temple in honor of St. Theodosius of Chernigov, who is considered the patron saint of the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident. In 2000, a church community was formed. On April 25, 2001, just on the eve of the 15th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident, the first stone was laid in the foundation of the temple. The first liturgy took place on September 22, 2002. In the interior of the temple there are icons with pieces of holy relics, in particular, the icon of St. Theodosius of Chernigov; every year the temple is replenished with new icons. On the 20th anniversary of the accident, the foundation was laid for the bell tower, in which there will be a chapel consecrated in honor of the “Chernobyl Savior” icon decorating one of the walls of the bell tower.
On December 14, 2006, the Day of the Liquidator of the Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident was celebrated for the first time. Chernobyl survivors call it Victory Day because on December 14, 1986, the state commission signed an act on the completion of the first stage of liquidation work and the construction of the sarcophagus. These events are perceived by the liquidators as the first victory, because the consequences of the accident were localized. Considering that a special group of parishioners are cancer patients, akathists are served in front of the icon of the Mother of God “Pantanassa” (The All-Tsarina), the original of which is located on Mount Athos. Since 2003, the church has housed a Sunday school, a prosphora, a library and a memorial room in memory of the victims of the Chernobyl tragedy.
Where is the Temple of Theodosius of Chernigov?
Chernobylskaya street, 2
(066) 996-22-43
services: morning 08:00, evening 17:00